Audio disc of improved data structure and reproduction apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

An optical audio disc comprises the first pack (A Pack), the second pack (A-CONT Pack), the third pack (V Pack), and the fourth pack (CONT Pack) in which the A-(CONT Pack is placed at the head of a data array and a plurality of the A and V Packs follow the A-CONT Pack in each audio contents block unit (ACBU). Information contained in an A-CONT Pack manages audio data contained in the A Pack. The A Pack contains audio data and the V Pac,k contains other data than the audio data such as closed caption (CC) data as well as video data. A reproduction apparatus for an optical audio disc (DVD-Audio disc) comprises the CONT Pack detector section  1103 , the A-CONT Pack detector section  1109 , the parameter sections  1108  and  1114 , the V Pack buffer section  1104 , and the A Pack buffer section  1110 . The (CONT Pack detector section  1103  and the A-CONT Pack detector section  1109  detect reproduced CONT and A-CONT Packs contained in the DVD-Audio disc  1101  respectively. Control parameters of reproduced data are arranged in the parameter sections  1108  and  1114 , and at the same time V Packs controlled by the information in the CONT Pack and A Packs controlled by the information in the A-CONT Pack are sequentially written in the V Pack buffer section  1104  and the A Pack buffer section  1110  respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an audio disc of improved datastructure, particularly relates to an audio disc having a higher packingdensity than a regular CD's (Compact Disc), of which the data format ofDVD (Digital Video Disc) system is utilized, and relates to areproduction apparatus for the audio disc.

[0003] 1. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A CD is well known as an optical disc for reproduction of audiosignal such as music, and a DVD disc is also known as an optical disc ofhigher packing density than CD's. A DVD disc is widely used forrecording video information, and this kind of DVD disc is hereinaftercalled a DVD-Video disc. A video signal is recorded on a DVD-Video discas a main information and an audio signal is recorded as asubinformation thereon. Therefore, many problems are associated with anaudio part of the DVD disc such as; less recording capacity for theaudio signal due to a composite signal scheme of audio and videosignals, no time management of audio signal, not retrievable characterinformation even a simple word like a title of music.

[0005] Furthermore, for users of audio apparatus who, in comparison withusers of video apparatus, prefer to a simpler reproduction method, a TOC(Table Of Contents) area is provided on a DVD-Video disc like a CD.However, a DVD-Video disc comprises video contents block units includinga control pack (CONT Pack), plural video packs (V Pack) and audio packs(A Pack). Since the CONT Pack controls the reproduction of V and APacks, it is rather hard to record audio signals mainly, when the audiosignals are reproduced

[0006] Moreover, in the DVD-Video disc, the timing of audio signal iscontrolled only by a video frame. On the other hand, time management ofaudio signal is controlled on a sampling frequency basis, so that audiosignals are hardly arranged in video frames without having extra spacesor bytes. In some cases, a discontinuity of audio signal requires tofill extra spaces with blank data. Therefore, it is hard to manageactual playback timing of audio signal, when recording audio signalsmainly is intended.

[0007] In addition thereto, although DVD-Video discs and reproductionapparatuses of DVD-Video disc are currently available in a market andthe reproduction apparatus can reproduce music CDs and video CDs as wellas DVD-Video discs, a reproduction apparatus which can reproduce avariety of DVD discs as well as DVD-Audio disc being recorded with audiosignals mainly is desirable for users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anaudio disc and a reproduction apparatus suitable for easy reproductionof audio signals and for easy management of an actual playback timing ofaudio signals when audio signals are prerecorded mainly.

[0009] Further, an object of the present invention is to provide anaudio disc reproduction apparatus which can reproduce various kinds ofaudio discs being recorded with audio signals mainly. In more specificaspect of the present invention, there provided an audio discreproduction apparatus which can reproduce DVD-Video discs and audiodiscs being recorded with audio signals mainly.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present inventionprovides, according to an aspect thereof, an audio disc having a controlpack which includes information for managing audio data.

[0011] According to the aspect of the present invention, there providedan audio disc which comprises a first pack (A Pack) including audiodata, a second pack (A-CONT Pack) which manages an audio data includedin the first pack, a third pack (V Pack) including data other than audiodata, a fourth pack (CONT Pack) which includes information for managingthe data included in the third pack, and the audio disc is recorded in adata structure arranging the second pack at the head of a data array andmore than one pack of the first, third, and fourth packs following thesecond pack, or a data structure arranging the fourth pack at the headof a data array and more than one pack of first, second, and third packsfollowing the fourth pack. In addition thereto, there provided areproduction apparatus which reproduces above mentioned audio discs,comprising a first reproduction device which reproduces the audio datacontained in the first pack in accordance with the information includedin the second pack and a second reproduction device which reproduces thedata contained in the third pack in accordance with the informationincluded in the fourth pack.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, thereprovided an audio disc having a navigation pack (NV Pack) whichreproduces audio packs, wherein the NV pack is defined by the DVD-VideoSpecifications which is an international industry standard. The audiodisc comprises a first pack (A Pack) including audio data, a second pack(V Pack including data other than audio data, a navigation pack (NVPack) which contains reproduction control information for controllingreproduction of the data included in the A and V Packs, wherein the NVpack is defined by the DVD-Video Specifications, a first managementinformation managing data included in the A and V Packs, and amanagement area which contains a second management information formanaging the data included in the A and V Packs, wherein the managementarea is defined by the DVD Specifications. In addition thereto, thereprovided a reproduction apparatus which reproduces the above mentionedaudio disc comprises a reproduction device which reproduces the audiodata included in the A Packs and the data included in the V Packs.

[0013] In more specific aspect of the present invention, there providedan audio disc having a control and management information which manageaudio packs included in a pack and a navigation pack (NV Pack), whereinthe NV pack is defined by the DVD-Video Specifications. The audio dischas two variation of types; a first audio disc, and a second audio disc.The first audio disc comprises a first pack (A Pack) including audiodata, a second pack (V Pack) including data other than the audio data, anavigation pack (NV Pack) including a reproduction control informationwhich controls reproduction of the data contained in the A and V Packs,a first management information which manages data contained in the A andV Packs, and a management area which contains a second managementinformation for managing the data included in the A and V Packs, whereinthe NV Pack and the management area is defined by the DVD-VideoSpecifications. The second audio disc comprises a first pack (A Pack)including audio data, a second pack (V Pack) including data other thanthe audio data, a control pack or a management information including areproduction control information which control reproduction of the datacontained in the A and V Packs. In addition thereto, there provided areproduction apparatus which reproduces the above mentioned first andsecond audio discs and comprises a first reproduction device whichreproduces the audio data included in the A Pack and the data includedin the V Pack in accordance with the NV Pack and the first managementinformation of the first audio disc, wherein the NV Pack is defined bythe DVD Specifications, and a second reproduction device whichreproduces the audio data included in the A Pack and the data includedin the V Pack in accordance with the reproduction control informationincluded in the control pack of the second audio disc.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, thereprovided an audio disc which comprises a first pack (A Pack) includingan audio data, a second pack (V Pack) including data other than theaudio data, a navigation pack (NV Pack) including a reproduction controlinformation which controls reproduction of the data included in the Aand V Packs, a first management information which manages the dataincluded in the A and V Packs, and a management area which includes asecond management information for managing the data contained in the Aand V Packs, wherein the NV Pack and the management area are defined bythe DVD Specification. In addition thereto, there provided areproduction apparatus which reproduces the above mentioned audio discand a DVD-Video disc, either disc comprises a first pack (A Pack)including audio data, a second pack (V Pack) including video data, and anavigation pack (NV Pack) which includes a reproduction controlinformation for controlling reproduction of the data contained in the Aand V Packs. The reproduction apparatus comprises an audio discreproduction device which reproduces the audio data included in the APack and the data included in the V Pack in accordance with thereproduction control information of the NV Pack and the first managementinformation wherein the NV Pack is defined by the DVD Specifications,and comprises a DVD-Video disc reproduction device which reproduces theaudio data included in the A Pack and the data included in the V Pack inaccordance with the reproduction control information of the NV Pack inthe DVD-Video disc, wherein the NV Pack is defined by the DVDSpecifications.

[0015] Other objects and further features of the present invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description with respect topreferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1(a) shows a data format of the DVD-Video disc of the priorart.

[0017]FIG. 1(b) shows a data format of a DVD-ROM-Van disc (Van-Disc)according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a data format of a DVD-Audio disc according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows a detailed format of an audio manager (AMG) shown inFIG. 2.

[0020]FIG. 4 shows a detailed format of an audio title set (ATS) shownin FIG. 2.

[0021]FIG. 5(a) shows a detailed format of an audio manager information(AMGI) shown in FIG. 3.

[0022]FIG. 5(b) shows a detailed format of an AMGI according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 5(c) shows a detailed format of an AMGI according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 6 shows a detailed format of an audio title set attributetable (ATS-ATRT) shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b).

[0025]FIG. 7 shows a detailed format of an audio title set attributedata (ATS-ATR) shown in FIG. 6.

[0026]FIG. 8(a) shows a detailed format of (in audio title setinformation (ATSI) shown in FIG. 4.

[0027]FIG. 8(b) shows another detailed format of an ATSI according tothe third embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 9 shows a detailed format of an audio title set informationmanagement table (ATSI-MAT) shown in FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b).

[0029] FIG 10 shows a detailed format of an audio title set menu audiostream attribute data (ATSM-AST-ATR) shown in FIG 9.

[0030]FIG. 11 shows a detailed format of an audio title set audio streamattribute table (ATS-AST-ATRT) shown in FIG. 9.

[0031]FIG. 12 shows a detailed format of an audio title set audio streamattribute data (ATS-AST-ATR) of each audio stream shown in FIG. 11.

[0032]FIG. 13(a) shows a data structure of an audio contents block unit(ACBU) shown in FIG. 2.

[0033]FIG. 13(b) shows a data structure of the ACBU according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 13(c) shows a data structure of an ACBU according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 14 shows a detailed format of an audio pack (A Pack) and avideo pack (V Pack) shown in FIGS. 13(a), 13(b), and 13(c).

[0036]FIG. 15 shows a detailed format of an audio control pack (A-CONTPack) shown in FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 13(b).

[0037]FIG. 16(a) shows a detailed format of an audio character display(ACD) area shown in FIG. 15.

[0038]FIG. 16(b) shows another format of the ACD according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 17 shows an example of an indication on a display which iscontrolled by a name space information shown in FIG. 16(a) and FIG.16(b).

[0040]FIG. 18(a) shows a format of detailed audio search data (ASD)shown in FIG. 15.

[0041]FIG. 18(b) shows a format of an ASD area according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

[0042]FIG. 19 shows a detail of a TOC (Table Of Contents) informationshown in FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 8(b).

[0043]FIG. 20 shows a detailed format of a CONT Pack shown in FIG.13(c).

[0044]FIG. 21 shows a detail of a presentation control information (PCI)data shown in FIG. 20.

[0045]FIG. 22 shows a detail of a PCI general information (PCI GI) shownin FIG. 21.

[0046]FIG. 23 shows a detail of a recording information (RECI) shown inFIG. 21.

[0047]FIG. 24 shows a detail of a data search information (DSI) datashown in FIG. 20.

[0048]FIG. 25 shows a detail of a DSI general information (DSI GI) shownin FIG. 24.

[0049]FIG. 26 shows a detail of a seamless playback information (SMLPBI) shown in FIG. 24.

[0050]FIG. 27 shows a concept of an alteration of seamless angle by aseamless angle information (SML AGLI) shown in FIG. 24.

[0051]FIG. 28 shows an example of a video object unit search information(VOBU SRI) shown in FIG. 24.

[0052]FIG. 29 shows a detail of the VOBU SRI shown in FIG. 24.

[0053]FIG. 30 shows a detail of a synchronous information (SYNCI) shownin FIG. 24.

[0054]FIG. 31 shows a data structure of a lead-in area of an audio discaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0055]FIG. 32 shows a detail of a control data block shown in FIG. 31.

[0056]FIG. 33 shows a detail of a physical format information area shownin FIG. 32.

[0057]FIG. 34 shows a block diagram of a reproduction apparatus for aDVD-Audio disc.

[0058]FIG. 35 shows a functional block diagram of a reproductionapparatus shown in FIG. 34.

[0059]FIG. 36 shows a block diagram of a reproduction apparatus for aDVD-Audio disc according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0060]FIG. 37 shows a functional block diagram of a reproductionapparatus shown in FIG. 36.

[0061]FIG. 38 is a functional block diagram of another reproductionapparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0062]FIG. 39 shows a flow chart of simultaneous reproduction process ofaudio and video packs, and the flow chart is continued to FIG. 40.

[0063]FIG. 40 shows a flow chart of simultaneous reproduction process ofaudio and video packs, the flow chart is continued from FIG. 39.

[0064]FIG. 41 shows a block diagram of a reproduction apparatus for aVan-Disc according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0065]FIG. 42 shows a flow chart of reproduction process of a Van-Discaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0066]FIG. 43 shows a detailed format of a text data manager (TXTDT-MG)of an AMGI according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0067]FIG. 44 shows a detailed format of an audio text data languageunit (ATXTDT-LU) number 1 (#1) through number n (#n) shown in FIG. 43.

[0068]FIG. 45 shows a detailed format of an audio text data (ATXTDT)shown in FIG. 44.

[0069]FIG. 46 shows a flow chart of indication process of an audio textdata according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0070]FIG. 47 shows a detailed format of an audio manager menu programchain information unit table (AMGM-PGCI-UT) according to the fourthembodiment of the present information.

[0071]FIG. 48 shows a detailed format of an audio manager menu Languageunit (AMGM-LU) shown in FIG. 47.

[0072]FIG. 49 shows an example of an AMGM-LU shown in FIG. 47.

[0073]FIG. 50 shows a flow chart of an indication process of an AMGM-LUshown in FIG. 47.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0074]FIG. 2 is a data format of an audio disc, (DVD-Audio disc)according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0075]FIG. 3 is a detailed format of an audio manager (AMG) shown inFIG. 2.

[0076]FIG. 4 is a detailed format of an audio title set (ATS) shown inFIG. 2.

[0077]FIG. 5(a) is a detailed format of an audio manager information(AMGI) shown in FIG. 3.

[0078]FIG. 6 is a detailed format of an audio title set attribute table(ATS-ATRT) shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0079]FIG. 7 is a detailed format of an audio title set attribute data(ATS-ATR) shown in FIG. 6.

[0080]FIG. 8(a) is a detailed format of an audio title set information(ATSI) shown in FIG. 4.

[0081]FIG. 9 is a detailed format of an audio title set informationmanagement table (ATSI-MAT) shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0082]FIG. 10 is a detailed format of an audio title set menu audiostream attribute data (ATSM-AST-ATR) shown in FIG. 9.

[0083]FIG. 11 is a detailed format of an audio title set audio streamattribute table (ATS-AST-ATRT) shown in FIG. 9.

[0084]FIG. 12 is a detailed format of an audio title set audio streamattribute data (ATS-AST-ATR) of each audio stream shown in FIG. 11.

[0085]FIG. 13(a) is a data structure of an audio contents block unit(ACBU) shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment of an audiodisc according to the present invention.

[0086]FIG. 14 is a detailed format of an audio pack (A Pack) and a videopack (V Pack) shown in FIG. 13(a).

[0087]FIG. 15 is a detailed format of an audio control pack (A-CONTPack) shown in FIG. 13(a).

[0088]FIG. 16(a) is a detailed format of an audio character display(ACD) area of FIG. 15.

[0089]FIG. 17 is an example of an indication on a display processed byinformation of a name space area shown in FIG. 16(a).

[0090]FIG. 18(a) is a detailed format of an audio search data (ASD) areaof FIG. 15.

[0091]FIG. 31 is a structure of a lead-in area of an audio discaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0092]FIG. 32 is a detail of a control data block shown in FIG 31.

[0093]FIG. 33 is a detail of a physical format information area shown inFIG. 32.

[0094]FIG. 34 is a block diagram of a DVD-Audio disc reproductionapparatus.

[0095]FIG. 35 is a functional block diagram of a reproduction apparatusshown in FIG. 34.

[0096] Accordingly, a DVD-Audio disc is anticipated to be recorded withboth 2 channel stereo and 5/6/8 channel multichannel signals to bridgefrom the CD era to the DVD-Audio disc era, and after such a transientperiod, an only 5/6/8 channel multichannel signal is supposed to berecorded on a DVD-Audio disc.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 2, a data format of the DVD-Audiodisc is the same as that of DVD-Video disc except for names of someareas so that a DVD-Audio disc is compatible with a DVD-Video disc.Therefore, it is possible to reproduce a DVD-Audio disc by a DVD-Videoplayer (reproduction apparatus).

[0098] The data format of a DVD-Video disc comprises a video manager(VMG) area at a head of the data format and plural areas of video titleset (VTS) following the VMG. On the other hand, a data format of aDVD-Audio disc comprises an audio manager (AMG) area which is detailedin FIG. 2 placed at a head of a data format and plural areas of audiotitle set (ATS) which is detailed in FIG. 4 following the AMG area. Thedata format of a DVD-Audio disc is equivalent to that of a DVD-Videodisc.

[0099] Each VTS comprises a first VTS information (VTSI) placed at ahead of a data array, more than one including one unit of video contentsblock set (VCBS) following respectively the first VTSI, and a last VTSIat an end of the data array. On the other hand, the ATS comprises afirst ATS information (ATSI) placed at a head of a data array, more thanone including one unit of audio contents block set (ACBS) followingrespectively the first ATSI, and a last ATSI at an end of the dataarray. The ATS is equivalent to the VTS. In the ATSI, a playing time ofeach music of ACBS is set in an actual playback timing.

[0100] One VCBS comprises plural video contents blocks (VCB), on theother hand, one ACBS comprises plural audio contents blocks (ACB). OneVCB is equal to one video title (Title), and one ACB is equal to oneaudio Title. Each VCB (one Title) contains plural Chapters, on the otherhand, each ACB (one Title) contains plural Tracks. A Chapter contains apart of title (PTT) and a Track contains a part of title (PTT).

[0101] One Chapter contains plural cells (CELL), on the other hand, oneTrack contains plural indexes (INDEX). Each CELL comprises plural VCBunits (VCBU) and each INDEX comprises plural ACB units (ACBU). Each ofVCBU and ACBU includes plural packs. One pack contains 2048 bytes.

[0102] One VCBU comprises a control pack (CONT Pack) at a head of a dataarray, plural video (V), audio(A), and sub-picture (SP) packs whichfollow in succession the CONT Pack. On the other hand, one ACBUcomprises an audio control pack (A-CONT Pack) at a head of a data arrayand plural A and V Packs which follow in succession the A-CONT Pack.

[0103] The CONT Pack is arranged by information which controls thesucceeding V Pack. In the A-CONT Pack, information which is similar tothe TOC (Table Of (Contents) information of a CD is arranged to managean audio signal of the succeeding A Packs. Audio data is arranged in theA Pack, on the other hand, in the V Pack, video data and other data thanaudio data such as closed (caption (CC) data are contained.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 3, one AMG area comprises an AMG information(AMGI) area which is detailed in FIG. 5(a), an audio contents block setfor AMG menu (AMGM-ACBS) area, and one AMGI area for backup. Further,the AMGM-ACBS area contains a presentation control information (PCI)area and a data search information (DSI) area as control information.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 4, one ATS area comprises an ATS information(ATSI) area which is detailed in FIG. 8(a), an audio contents block setfor ATS menu (ATSM-ACBS) area, an audio contents block set for ATS album(ATSA-ACBS) area, and one ATSI area for backup. Further, the ATSM-ACBSarea and each of the ATSA-ACBS area contains above mentioned PCI and DSLareas.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 5(a), one AMGI area comprises a management tableof AMGI (AMGI-MAT) area, a title search pointer table (T-SRPT) area, anaudio manager menu program chain information unit table (AMGM-PGCI-UT)area, a parental management information table (PTL-MAIT) area, an audiotitle set attribute table (ATS-ATRT) area which is detailed in FIG. 6, atext data manager (TXTDT-MG) area, an audio manager menu cell (INDEX)address table (AMGM-C-ADT) area, and an audio manager menu audiocontents block unit address map (AMGM-ACBU-ADMAP) area.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 6, one ATS-ATRT area comprises an audio titleset attribute table information (ATS-ATRTI) area, plural (n) units ofaudio title set attribute search pointer of ATS (ATS-ATR-SRP#1 throughATS-ATR-SRP#n) areas, and plural (n) units of audio title set attributedata of ATS (ATS-ATR#1 through ATS-ATR#n) areas which are detailed inFIG. 7.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 7, each audio title set attribute data(ATS-ATR#1 through ATS-ATR#n) area comprises an audio title setattribute end address (ATS-ATR-EA) area in 4 bytes, an audio title setcategory (ATS-CAT) in 4 bytes, and an audio title set attributeinformation (ATS-ATRI) area in 768 bytes.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 8(a), one ATSI area shown in FIG. 4 comprises anaudio title set information management table (ATSI-MAT) area which isdetailed in FIG. 9, an audio title set part of title search pointertable (ATS-PTT-SRPT) area, an audio title set program chain informationtable (ATS-PGCIT) area, an audio title set menu program chaininformation unit table (ATSM-PGCI-UT) area, an audio title set time maptable (ATS-TMAPT) area, an audio title set menu cell address table(ATSM-C-ADT) area, an audio title set menu audio contents block unitaddress map (ATSM-ACBU-ADMAP) area, an audio title set cell addresstable (ATS-C-ADT) area, and an audio title set audio contents block unitaddress map (ATS-ACBU-ADMAP) area.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 9, one ATSI-MAT area shown in FIG. 8(a)comprises an audio title set identifier (ATS-ID) area, an audio titleset end address (ATS-EP) area, an audio title set information endaddress (ATSI-EA) area, a version number of DVD-Audio Specifications(VERN) area, an ATS category (ATS-CAT) area, an ATS informationmanagement table end address (ATSI-MAT-EA) area, an audio title set menuACBS start address (ATSM-ACBS-SA) area, an ATSA-ACBS start address(ATSA-ACBS-SA) area, an ATS-PTT-SRPT start address (ATS-PTT-SRPT-SA)area, an ATS-PGCIT start address (ATS-PGCIT-SA) area, an ATSM-PGCI-UTstart address (ATSM-PGCI-UT-SA) area, an ATS time map start address(ATS-TMAP-SA) area, an ATSM-C-ADT start address (ATSM-C-ADT-SA) area, anATSM-ACBU-ADMAP start address (ATSM-ACBU-ADMAP-SA) area, a reservedarea, an ATSM audio stream attribute (ATSM-AST-ATR) area detailed inFIG. 10, numbers of ATS audio stream (ATS-ATS-SA) area, and an ATS audiostream attribute table (ATS-AST-ATRT) area detailed in FIG. 11.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 10, one ATSM-AST-ATR area comprises 8 bytes(from bit b63 to bit b0) and following data (1) through (4) are arrangedin the area is an attribute of coded audio signal which is recorded on aDVD-Audio disc. However, other bits than specified below are reservedfor other use. The attribute data are arranged as follows:

[0112] (1) Audio coded mode (3 bits: b63, b62, and b61);

[0113] 000b: Dolby AC-3,

[0114] 010b: MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 (without extended bit stream),

[0115] 011b: MPEG-2 (with extended bit stream),

[0116] 100b: Linear PCM audio, or

[0117] 101b: Linear PCM audio (including 2+5 channels, 2+6 channels, and2+8 channels).

[0118] (2) Quantization and DRC (dynamic range control) information (2bits: b55 and b54);

[0119] When an audio coded mode is “000b”, it is “11b”.

[0120] When an audio coded mode is “010b” or “001b”;

[0121] 00b: A dynamic range control data is not present in a MPEG audiostream.

[0122] 01b: A dynamic range control data is present in a MPEG audiostream.

[0123] 10b and 11b: Reserved

[0124] When a audio coded mode is “100b” and “101b”, it is defined for 2channel stereo;

[0125] 00b: 16 bits,

[0126] 01b: 20 bits,

[0127] 10b: 24 bits, or

[0128] 11b: Reserved.

[0129] (3) Sampling frequency fs (2 bits: b53 and b52) for 2 channelstereo;

[0130] 00b: 48 kHz,

[0131] 01b: 96 kHz, or

[0132] 10b: 192 kHz.

[0133] (4) Number of audio channels (3 bits: b50, b49, and b48);

[0134] 000b: 1 channel (monaural),

[0135] 001b: 2 channels (stereo),

[0136] 010b: 3 channels,

[0137] 011b: 4 channels,

[0138] 100b: (2 channel stereo+5 channels,

[0139] 101b: (2 channel stereo+6 channels)

[0140] 110b: 7 channels, or

[0141] 111b: (2 channel stereo+8 channels).

[0142] As shown in FIG. 11, an ATS-AST-ATRT contains 8 units ofATS-AST-ATR for audio streams from #0 to #7 (AST#0 ATS-AST-ATR throughAST#7 ATS-AST-ATR) which are detailed in FIG. 12 and each ATS-AST-ATRcomprises 8 bytes (64 bytes in total for one ATS-AST-ATRT).

[0143] As shown in FIG. 12, an ATS-AST-ATR area of one audio streamcomprises 8 bytes (from bit b63 to b0) which is similar to theATSM-AST-ATR area shown in FIG. 10 and following data (5) through (9)are arranged in conjunction with above mentioned attribute data (1)through (4);

[0144] (5) Multichannel extension (ME) (1 bit: b60),

[0145] (6) Audio type (2 bits: b59 and b58),

[0146] (7) Audio application mode (2 bits: b57 and b56),

[0147] (8) Decimate information of the audio stream (AST) (2 bits: b47and b46), and

[0148] (9) Decimating information of only 1 channel of low frequencyeffect (LFE) (2 bits: b45 and b44).

[0149] Further, in the above mentioned (7) audio application mode of aDVD-Audio disc, following mode is recorded;

[0150] 11b: 2 channels+surround mode.

[0151] Furthermore, in the above mentioned decimating information of (8)AST and (9) only 1 channel of LFE, following range information isrecorded;

[0152] 00b: Full ({fraction (1/1)}),

[0153] 01b: Half ({fraction (1/2)}), or

[0154] 10b: Quarter ({fraction (1/4)}).

[0155] In addition thereto, the number of audio channels (4) in anATSM-AST-ATR area affirmatively becomes 2 channels at the audio stream#0. The audio stream 1 includes 3 channels of front signal,that is, whenrecording audio signals of one title in 2+6 channels, 2 channel stereosignals are arranged to the audio stream #0, and 3 channel front signalsout of 6 channels are arranged to the audio stream #1, and 2 channelrear signals and 1 channel LFE signals are arranged to the audio stream#2. Both the AMGI-MAT area shown in FIG. 5(a) and the ATSI-MAT areashown in FIG. 8(a) are recorded with the numeral “3”, for instance, asutilization data of audio stream #0 through #2, three audio streams intotal.

[0156] In the case of recording digitized 2+6 channel analog audiosignals by following combination of sampling frequency and quantizationbit; 2 channel stereo 48 kHz, 20 bits, 3 channel front 96 kHz, 16 bits,and 2 channel rear and 1 channel LFE: 48 kHz, 16 bits (withoutdecimating)

[0157] Following attribute data of 2 channel stereo signal are recordedin the ATSM-AST-ATR area shown in FIG. 10,

[0158] (1) Audio coded mode;

[0159] 101b: Linear PCM audio (including 2+5 channels, 2+6 channels, and2+8 channels),

[0160] (2) Quantization and DRC;

[0161] 01b: 20bits, (3) Sampling frequency fs;

[0162] 00b: 48 kHz, and

[0163] (4) number of audio channels;

[0164] 101b: (stereo 2 channels+6 channels)

[0165] Following data are recorded in the AATS-AST-ATR area of audiostream #0,

[0166] (1) Audio coded mode;

[0167] 101b: Linear PCM audio (including 2+5) channels, 2+6 channels,and 2+8 channels),

[0168] (2) Quantization and DRC;

[0169] 01b: 20 bits,

[0170] (3) sampling frequency fs;

[0171] 00b: 48 kHz,

[0172] (4) Number of audio channels;

[0173] 001b: 2 channel stereo,

[0174] (7) Audio application mode;

[0175] 11b: 2 channels+surround mode,

[0176] (8) decimating information of the stream;

[0177] 00b: Full ({fraction (1/1)}), and

[0178] (9) decimating information of only 1 channel LFE

[0179] 00b: Full ({fraction (1/1)}).

[0180] Following data are recorded in the ATS-AST-ATR area of the audiostream #1,

[0181] (1) Audio coded mode;

[0182] 101b: Linear PCM audio (including 2+5 channels, 2+6 channels, and2+8 channels),

[0183] (2) Quantization and DRC;

[0184] 00b: 16 bits,

[0185] (3) sampling frequency fs;

[0186] 01b: 96 kHz,

[0187] (4) Number of audio channels;

[0188] 010b: 3 channels,

[0189] (7) Audio application mode;

[0190] 11b: 2 channels+surround mode,

[0191] (8) decimating information of the stream;

[0192] 00b: Full ({fraction (1/1)}), and

[0193] (9) decimating information of only 1 channel LFE

[0194] 00b: Full ({fraction (1/1)}).

[0195] Following data are recorded in the ATS-AST-ATR area of the audiostream #2,

[0196] (1) Audio coded mode;

[0197] 101b: Linear PCM audio (including 2+5 channels, 2+6 channels, 2+8channels),

[0198] (2) Quantization and DRC;

[0199] 00b: 16 bits,

[0200] (3) sampling frequency fs;

[0201] 00b: 48 kHz,

[0202] (4) Number of audio channels;

[0203] 01b: 3 channels,

[0204] (7) Audio application mode;

[0205] 11b: 2 channels+surround mode,

[0206] (8) decimating information of the stream;

[0207] 00b: Full ({fraction (1/1)}), and

[0208] (9) decimating information of only 1 channel LFE

[0209] 00b: Full ({fraction (1/1)}).

[0210] As shown in FIG. 13(a), a VCBU and an ACBU comprise arbitraryquantity of packs; A Packs, A-CONT Pack, V Pack, and CONT Pack. A CONTPack is arranged at al head of a VCBU data array and an A-CONT Pack isarranged at a head of an ACBU data array. One VCBU is equal to i periodof 0.4 to 1.0 second, wherein the time period of 0.4 to 1.0 secondrepresents an actual reproduction time of one VCBU, and one ACBU isequal to a period of 0.5 to 1 second, wherein the time period representsan actual reproduction time of one ACBU. Furthermore, an A-CONT Pack ofan ACBU in a DVD-Audio disc is arranged at a third pack of a VCBU in aDVD-Video disc. Moreover, two units of VCBU and two units of ACBU areequal to one CELL and one INDEX respectively.

[0211] The A-CONT Pack is basically arranged in every 0.5 second ofaudio time period and it is arranged to complete within the period of0.5 to 1.0 second at a space between a head and a end of an INDEX.

[0212] The audio time period, which is a period between an A-CONT Packand a subsequent A-CONT Pack and is defined as a group of audio frames(GOF), is indicated by an A-CONT Pack and its data location isdetermined by an audio frame number, a fast access unit pointer, andnumbers of frame headers.

[0213] An A Pack which is located immediately before an A-CONT Pack isregularly arranged in every 0.5 second of audio time period. However, insome cases, it is arranged in less than 0.5 second in accordance with atotal length of one Title. In this case, a time difference is adjustedat an A Pack immediately preceding the first A-CONT Pack of such Title.

[0214] In the neighborhood of A Packs, audio signals are arranged sothat they are program-related to each other. For example, in the case ofstereophonic signals, a left channel pack and a right channel pack arearranged neighbouring A Packs, in the case of 5 channel, 6 channel, and8 channel multichannel signals, they are also arranged neighbouring APacks. A “V” Pack is arranged to neighbour an A Pack, when displaying avideo image while reproducing audio signals.

[0215] As shown in FIG. 14, A Pack or V Pack comprises 2034 bytes ofuser data (A data or V data) and 14 bytes of pack header. The 14 bytepack header contains 4 bytes of pack start information, 6 bytes ofsystem clock reference (SCR) information, 3 bytes of Mux (Multiplex)rate information of a program stream, and one byte of stuffing,therefore one pack contains 2048 bytes in total.

[0216] It is possible to manage the time period of A Packs in the sameTitle, by setting the SCR information of the first A Pack of the firstACBU within one Title being “1”, for example, since an SCR informationacts as a time stamp. In this case, the SCR information of every A Packof all ACBUs except the first A Pack of the first ACBU in one Title areoptional.

[0217] An A-CONT Pack, as shown in FIG. 15, comprises 14 bytes of packheader, 24 bytes of system header, 1003 bytes of audio character display(ACD) packet, and 1007 bytes of audio search data (ASD) packet. One ACDpacket contains 6 bytes of packet header, one byte of sub stream ID, 636bytes of ACD information, and 360 bytes of reserved area, whereindetails of the ACD information is shown in FIG. 16(a). Furthermore, oneASD packet contains 6 bytes of packet header, one byte of sub stream ID,and 1000 bytes of ASD, details of the ASD is shown in FIG. 18(a).

[0218] As shown in FIG. 16(a) the 636-byte ACD information areacomprises 48 bytes of general information area and 294 bytes each of twoareas; one is for a character [1] of first language and the other is acharacter [2] of second language. Each 294 byte area contains 93 bytesof name space area. 93 bytes each of two free space areas, and 15 bytesof data pointer area. In the name space area, data which indicate amusic title such as shown in FIG. 17 are arranged. The character [1] and[2] stand for display characters of certain languages including English,and the further details are explained as “The 12 byte language codeinformation” which will follow. Furthermore a display language can bedetermined by a disc manufacturer.

[0219] The 48-byte general information area comprises, for example, 16bytes of service level information, 12 bytes of language codeinformation, 6 bytes of character set code information, 6 bytes ofindication item information, 2 bytes of “difference from previous ACDinformation” information, and 6 bytes of reserved information. The 16byte service level information indicates indication size, category ofindication, discrimination of audio, video, or SP (Sub Picture), and anumber of audio stream (AST#0 through AST#7) etc. Characters aremandatory and bit maps are option in the service level information area.

[0220] The 12 byte language code information indicates a type oflanguage. Two different languages are selected from 8 languages; the onelanguage is English which is mandatory and the other is an arbitrarylanguage. The type of languages is defined as character [1] or [2] inaccordance with selected two languages in 2 bytes each as same as videocontents block (VCB) of a DVD-Video disc.

[0221] The 6-byte character set code information can possess a maximumof 15 character codes wherein the character code is equivalent to thelanguage code, and indicates whether the language character [1] or [2]is present or not and its category in one byte. Exemplary codes include:IS0646, IS08859-1, and MS-JIS.

[0222] The 6 bytes of indication item information indicates, as shown inFIG. 16(a), free space “1” and “2”, whether a data pointer is present ornot, and sub stream ID. The name space is mandatory and a title name, amusic title, and an artist name must be described.

[0223] In FIG. 17, a total of 93 characters (93 bytes) can be indicatedon a display device: 31 characters in the first line and 62 charactersin the second and third lines. Further, the second and third linesaccept 31 double byte (2 bytes per character) characters as well as 62single byte (one byte per character) characters.

[0224] In FIG. 18(a), the 1000-byte ASD is depicted in detail. Itcomprises 16 bytes of general information area, 8 bytes of currentnumber information area, 16 bytes of current time information area, 8bytes of title set search information area, 8 bytes of title searchinformation area, 404 bytes of track search information area, 408 bytesof index search information area, 80 bytes of highlight searchinformation area, and 52 bytes of reserved area.

[0225] The 8-byte current number information area comprises currenttitle number of a title set in 2 bytes BCD, a current track number of atitle set in 2 bytes BCD, a current index number of a Track in 2 bytesBCD, and 2 bytes of reserved area. The 16-byte current time informationcomprises playback time of a Track in 4 bytes BCD, a remaining playbacktime of a Track in 4 bytes BCD, an absolute time of a Title in 4 bytesBCD, and a remaining absolute time of a Title in 4 bytes BCD.

[0226] The 8 bytes of title set search information area comprises 4bytes of first sector number of a title set and 4 bytes of last sectornumber of the title set. The 8-byte title search information areacomprises a first sector number of a Title in 4 bytes and a last sectornumber of the Title in 4 bytes.

[0227] The 404-byte track search information area comprises 99 track andsector numbers of a Title in 4 bytes (99×4 bytes), a first track numberof a Title in 4 bytes, and a last track number of the Title in 4 bytes.

[0228] The 408-byte index search information area comprises 100 indexand sector numbers of a Track in 4 bytes (100×4 bytes), a first indexnumber of a Track in 4 bytes, and a last index number of the Track in 4bytes. The 80-byte highlight search information area comprises 10in-sector numbers of a Track in 4 bytes (10×4 bytes) and 10 out-sectornumbers of the Track in 4 bytes (10×4 bytes).

[0229] According to the aforementioned format, an A-CONT Pack isarranged at a head of plural A Packs to manage audio signals ofsubsequent A Packs such as TOC information of a CD. Therefore, audiodata are not combined with other data such as video data, thus recordingcapacity of the audio data increases. Further, an audio timing can bemanaged by the A-CONT Pack. Moreover, simple character information ofaudio data such as music title can be retrieved from A-CONT Packs.

[0230] Furthermore, A-CONT Packs contain TOC information such as title,start address, and playing time. Therefore, reproduction may be startedafter retrieving some information commanded by a user from A-CONT Packseven during reproduction without any interruption. In the case ofretrieving other reproduction function such as jump or search, theoriginal reproduction is interrupted.

[0231] By providing TOC information into audio manager information(AMGI) and audio title set information (ATSI) and storing necessary TOCinformation into a memory device of a reproduction apparatus,reproduction is started after promptly reading out the informationdemanded by a user from the memory device. It is not necessary to storea large capacity of information like a program chain information (PGCI)of a DVD-Video disc. Therefore, discs are managed efficiently.

[0232] Accordingly, following functions are assured.

[0233] 1. When no video (V) data are present in contents: (1) search andrandom access functions are available for 3 layers of Title, program,and INDEX, (2) cuing, time search, and random access per audio frame(GOF) functions are available, (3) timing control of Title, program, andINDEX are managed on the basis of actual timing.

[0234] 2. When V data are present in contents: (4) current time andremaining time of Title and program are indicated in actual timing andare managed, in addition to the above mentioned items (1) through (3)for audio data.

[0235] Furthermore, in the case of video data, (1) search and randomaccess functions are available for 3 layers of Title, PTT and CELL, (2)time search and random access per video frame unit functions areavailable, (3) timing of Title, PTT and CELL are managed in real time,(4) current time and remaining time of PTT or Title are indicated invideo frame unit time and are managed.

[0236] As shown in FIG. 31, a recording area of a DVD disc includingDVD-Audio disc is composed of a lead-in area and a data area in general.The lead-in area comprises;

[0237] An “all 00h” block which starts from a sector number of “lead-instart” and ends at a sector before a sector number “02F000h”,

[0238] 2 blocks of reference code block which starts from the sectornumber “02F000h” and ends at a sector before a sector number “02F020h”,

[0239] 30 blocks of “all 00h” block which starts from the sector number“02F020h” and ends at a sector before a sector number “02F200h”,

[0240] 192 blocks of control data block which starts from the sectornumber “02F200h” and ends at a sector before a sector number “02FE00h”,and

[0241] 32 blocks of “all 00h” block which starts from the sector number“02FE00h” and ends at a sector before a sector number “0300001”.

[0242] In the data area, data of IS09660 and micro UDF (Universal DiscFormat) are recorded at a head of the data area (at the sector number“03000h) and a title set (TS) such as audio TS, video TS, and computerTS is recorded in a following block of the data of IS09660 and microUDF.

[0243] In FIG. 32, the control data block in the lead-in area isdepicted in detail. The data control block comprises a sector ofphysical format information, a sector of disc manufacturing information,and a sector of copyright information.

[0244] As shown in FIG. 33, the physical format information sector in2048 bytes comprises;

[0245] one byte of “area of book type and part version”,

[0246] one byte of “area of disc size and minimum lead-out rate”,

[0247] one byte of “disc structure area”,

[0248] one byte of “recording density area”,

[0249] 12 bytes of “area of data area allocation” wherein a startaddress is allocated as “03000h”, and

[0250] 2032 bytes of reserved area.

[0251] The area of book type and part version is provided as a discidentifier. An upper bit of the disc identifier identifies a DVD disc asa “DVD-ROM disc”, “DVD-RAM disc”, or DVD-Write Once disc”. Further, inthe ease of DVD-ROM disc, a lower bit of the disc identifier identifies“computer program disc”, “pure video disc” (V-Disc ), “video disc plusaudio navigation disc” (Vani-Disc), or “audio disc” (DVD-Audio disc).Accordingly, a disc in accordance with the first embodiment is describedwith a disc identifier which designates “DVD-ROM-audio disc” (DVD-Audiodisc) and is contained in the area of book type and part version. On theother hand, a disc in accordance with a fourth embodiment is describedwith a disc identifier designating “DVD-ROM-Van disc” (Van-Disc). TheTOC (Table Of Contents) information such as cuing information of programor movement of music is not, provided in a lead-in area or a managingare of “DVD-ROM-pure video disc” (V-Disc). However, the TOC informationis provided in a lead-in area or a managing area of the “DVD-ROM-audiodisc” (DVD-Audio disc) and the “DVD-ROM-Van disc” (Van-Disc). The TOCinformation of a DVD-Audio disc and a Van-disc is arranged similar to aTOC information as shown in FIG. 19. However, it contains extrasimplified reproduction information, so that it is called a SAPP (SimpleAudio Play Pointer) to distinguish from regular TOC information, whereinFIG. 19 will be explained in the third embodiment.

[0252]FIG. 34 is a block diagram of a reproduction apparatus for aDVD-Audio disc. Above mentioned structured data is modulated in the EFM(Eight to Fourteen Modulation) modulation system and recorded on aDVD-Audio disc 1101 as a pit formation. When a certain function oroperation such as program selection, reproduction, fast forwarding, orstop is commanded by a operation section 1118 or a remote control unit1119, a control section 1123 controls a driving device 1102 and areproduction device 1117 in accordance with the commanded operation orfunction. In a reproduction mode, the driving device 1102 reads out apit data recorded on the DVD-Audio disc 1101 and then the pit data aredemodulated according to the EFM modulation system.

[0253] In the reproduction device 1117, the readout signal is suppliedto a CONT Pack detector section 1103 and an A-CONT Pack detector section1109. The CONT Pack detector section 1103 detects a CONT Pack containedin the reproduced data and sets control parameters included in the CONTPack in a parameter section 1108, and at the same time, the CONT Packdetector section 1103 transmits V Packs which are managed by a CONT Packto a V Pack buffer section 1104 so as to write V Packs in sequentialorder.

[0254] A buffer retrieve section 1105 retrieves a user data, includingvideo signal and sub-picture information, of a V Pack from the V Packbuffer section 1104 in pack sequence in accordance with an SCRinformation (explained before referring to FIG. 14) of the V Pack andalso retrieves a user data in output timing sequence in accordance witha presentation time stamp (PTS) information of the CONT Pack. Then theuser data is output from a video signal output terminal 1115 a and asub-picture information output terminal 1115 b as an analog video signalthrough a image converter section 1106 and a D/A (Digital to Analog)converter section 1107.

[0255] The A-CONT Pack detector section 1109 detects an A-CONT Pack inthe reproduced data and sets control parameters in a parameter section1114, and at the same time, the A-CONT Pack detector section 1109transmits A Packs which are managed by an A-CONT Pack to an A Packbuffer section 1110 so is to write A Packs in sequential order.

[0256] A buffer retrieve section 1111 retrieves a user data, includingaudio signals, of an A Pack from the A Pack buffer section 1110 in packsequence in accordance with an SCR information of the A Pack and alsoretrieves a user data in output timing sequence in accordance with acurrent time information of an audio search data (ASD) which is shown inFIG. 18(a). The user data is outputted from an audio signal outputterminal 1116 as an analog audio signal through a PCM converter section1112 and a D/A converter section 1113.

[0257] Furthermore, a data in an A-CONT Pack, which is to be displayedas an ACD with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 and an example of displayedcharacter is shown in FIG. 17, is transmitted to a display signalgenerator section 1120 and a display signal is generated therein. Thedisplay signal is outputted from a display signal output terminal 1122and also transmitted to a character display device 1121.

[0258] In addition thereto, TOC information 1108 a and 1114 a of aDVD-Audio disc are stored in the parameter section 1108 and 1114respectively.

[0259]FIG. 35 is a functional block diagram of a reproduction apparatusshown in FIG. 34. A reproduction device 2102 corresponds to the drivingdevice 1102 in FIG. 34. A reproduction signal process and separationdevice “A” 2103 corresponds to the A-CONT Pack detector 1109, the A Packbuffer section 1110, the buffer retrieve section 1111, and the parametersection 1114 in FIG. 34. An audio signal output device 2104 correspondsto the PCM converter section 1112 and the D/A converter section 1113 inFIG. 34. A character information output device 2105 corresponds to thedisplay signal generator section 1120 in FIG. 34. A display device 2106corresponds to the character display device 1121 in FIG. 34.

[0260] A reproduction signal process and separation device “V” 2107corresponds to the CONT Pack detector section 1103, the V Pack buffersection 1104, the buffer retrieve section 1105, and the parametersection 1108 in FIG. 34. A video signal output device 2108 and asub-picture information output device 2109 corresponds to the imageconverter section 1106 and the D/A converter section 1107 in FIG. 34respectively. A control device 2110 corresponds to the control section1123 in FIG. 34.

[0261] In FIG. 35, the control device 2110 transmits an address controlinformation signal, responsive to a reproduction command which istransmitted by the operation section 1118 or the remote control unit1119 as a command signal 2111 for reproducing an objective program, tothe reproduction device 2102 and the objective program of a DVD-Audiodisc 1101 is reproduced. By the reproduction signal process andseparation device “A” 2103, reproduced data are seperated into andtransmitted respectively as such as an A-CONT information is separatedand transmitted to the control device 2110, audio signals to the audiosignal output device 2104, and character information to the characterinformation output device 2105. Similarly by the reproduction signalprocess and separation device “V” 2107, a CONT information is separatedand transmitted to the control device 2110, video signals to the videosignal output device 2108, and a sub-picture information to thesub-picture information output device 2109.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

[0262]FIG. 13(b) is a data structure of the ACBU shown in FIG. 2according to the second embodiment of the audio disc according to thepresent invention.

[0263] Other data structure than that of the ACBU and data format of theaudio disc and a reproduction apparatus is the same as the firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0264] In FIG. 13(a), an ACBU comprises both A-CONT and CONT Packs.However, it is possible to arrange a data array which excludes either VPacks or CONT Packs therein as shown in FIG. 13(b). In this case, arecording capacity of audio signal increases although no video signal isrecorded. Therefore, a disc size is reduced for a given volume of audiosignal in comparison with a regular DVD-Audio disc described in thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

[0265] Furthermore, reproduction function is simplified, therefore, thesecond embodiment of the present invention is suitable for a portablereproduction apparatus.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

[0266] A reproduction apparatus which reproduces DVD-Audio discs inaccordance with the first embodiment is provided in conjunction with TOC(Table Of Contents) information.

[0267]FIG. 5(b) is a data format of the audio manager information (AMGI)shown in FIG. 3 according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0268]FIG. 8(b) is a detailed format of of an audio title setinformation (ATSI) according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0269]FIG. 19 is a detail of a TOC information shown in FIG. 5(b) andFIG. 8(b).

[0270]FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a reproduction apparatus of aDVD-Audio disc according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0271]FIG. 37 is a functional block diagram of a reproduction apparatusshown in FIG. 36.

[0272]FIG. 38 is a functional block diagram of another reproductionapparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0273]FIG. 39 is a flow chart of simultaneous reproduction process ofaudio and video packs, and the chart is continued to FIG. 40.

[0274]FIG. 40 is a flow chart of simultaneous reproduction process ofaudio and video packs, the chart is continued from FIG. 39.

[0275] In FIG. 5(b), an area of TOC (Table Of Contents) informationwhich is detailed in FIG. 19 is added as a part of the AMGI data formatof the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5(a). A reproduction apparatusgains access to the TOC information and gives a cue to a beginning of aprogram or music. FIG. 19 is a typical TOC information format which isrecorded in a lead-in area of a CD. The same information is repeatedlyrecorded three times. In case of the DVD-Audio disc of the presentinvention, such repetition of TOC information recording may or may notbe adopted.

[0276] In the TOC information of a CD, an absolute starting time of eachmovement of music at a point of 00 through 99 is represented in a minute(PMIN), a second (PSEC), and a frame (PFRAME), wherein a point number 00through 99 stands for each movement of music. When a point is A0, thePMIN stands for a first movement of music, and both the PSEC and thePFRAME become 0 (zero). When a point is A1, the PMIN stands for a lastmovement of music, and both the PSEC and the PFRAME become 0. When apoint is A2, an absolute starting time of lead-out area is representedin a minute (PMIN), a second (PSEC), and a frame (PFRAME). A TOCinformation shown in FIG. 19 represents that 6 programs or 6 movementsof music are recorded in a DVD-Audio disc, wherein points are 01 through06, and one, unit of TOC information shown in FIG. 19 comprises 27frames or 27 points of 01 through A2. In addition thereto, as anotheraspect of the present invention, TOC information can be recorded in avacant area of the ATSI (Audio Title Set Information) as shown in FIG.8(b) instead of the AMGI (Audio Manager Information) or can be recordedin the 360 byte reserved area of the ACD packet in a A-CONT Pack shownin FIG. 15.

[0277] In functionwise and operationwise, FIGS. 36 and 37 are basicallythe same as FIGS. 34 and 37 respectively. Therefore, detailedexplanation is limited to different sections and areas from the firstembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 36, a CPU CentralProcessing Unit, equivalent to a microprocessor) 1223 controls a drivingdevice 1202 and a TOC information storing memory 1224 in accordance witha demanded operation or function.

[0278] Above mentioned TOC information is read out from a DVD-Audio disc1101 at the beginning of reproduction by the driving device 1202 and isstored in the TOC information storing memory 1224. The CPU 1223 controlsthe driving device 1202 to make access to the DVD-Audio disc 1101 inreferring to the TOC information storing memory 1224, when a cuingreproduction of a program or a movement of music is commanded. Inaddition thereto, the TOC information is recorded in an ANIG, an ATSI,or an A-CONT Pack. Further, the TOC information can be additionallyrecorded in a innermost lead-in area (TOC area 1101 a) of a DVD-Audiodisc 1101 shown in FIG. 38 and the TOC information can be stored in theTOC information storing memory 1224 after a TOC detecting device 2323make access independently to the TOC area 1101 a at a beginning ofreproduction. Furthermore, the stored TOC information in the TOCinformation storing memory 1224 is supplied to both the parametersections 1208 and 1214 to control video information and audioinformation respectively in accordance with a reproduction command fromthe operation section 1218 or the remote control unit 1219 through theCPU 1223.

[0279] In FIG. 37, a TOC information storing device 2224 corresponds tothe TOC information storing memory 1224 in FIG. 36. A control device2210 corresponds to the CPU 1223 in FIG. 36. A reproduction signalprocess and separation device “A” 2203 separates a reproduced data intoan A-CONT information, audio signals, a character information, and a TOCinformation. The A-CONT information is transmitted to the control device2210. The audio signals are transmitted to a audio signal output device2104. A TOC information which is recorded in a TOC area 1101 a of aDVD-Audio disc 1101 is transmitted to the TOC information storing device2224. The TOC information is managed by the control device 2210.

[0280] In FIG. 38, a TOC information is additionally recorded in aninnermost lead-in area 1101 a of a DVD-Audio disc 1101. At the beginningof reproduction, a TOC detecting device 2323 has independently access toa TOC area 1101 a and contents of TOC information is stored in a TOCinformation storing device 2324. The other functions and operations arethe same as those of FIG. 37 described before.

[0281] In FIG. 39, when a cuing reproduction of a program or a movementof a music is commanded, the CPU 1223 refers to TOC information which iscorresponding to a specified position (step S1), and then the CPU 1223calculates locations of a CELL and an INDEX in accordance with the TOCinformation (step S2). After the step S2, the CPU 1223 searcheslocations (step S3). Once the locations are confirmed (step S4), theaudio and video simultaneous reproduction process which will be detailedin FIG. 40, starts to function (step S5).

[0282] In FIG. 40, a CONT Pack is reproduced (step S11) and a A-CONTPack is reproduced (step S12) in sequence, and then timing informationof both the CONT and the A-CONT Packs are checked whether a timing isthe same or not (step S13). When the timing is different from eachother, both the CONT Pack and the A-CONT Pack are adjusted by ±1 pack(step S14), then both Packs return back to the reproduction process stepS11) and they are reproduced. As another aspect of the step S14, a Packout of either CONT Pack or A-CONT Pack can be adjusted by ±1 pack andthe Pack is reproduced.

[0283] In the step S13, when both timing information of the CONT Packand the A-CONT Pack are the same, an A Pack which is controlledaccording to the A-CONT Pack is reproduced and an A Pack address (SCRinformation) is advanced at an increment of one (step S15), and then a VPack which is controlled according to the CONT Pack is reproduced and aV Pack address is advanced at an increment of one (step S16). After thestep 16, it is checked whether reproduction of an A Pack is completed ornot (step 17). When the reproduction is not completed, it is forwardedto a step S18. In the case of completion, it is advanced to a step 20.

[0284] In the step S18, it is checked whether reproduction of the V Packis completed or not. When the reproduction is not completed, it returnsto the step S13. In the case of completion, it is forwarded to a stepS19. In the step S19, a V Pack address is advanced at an increment ofone in conjunction with reproducing a subsequent V Pack which iscontrolled according to the CONT Pack and then it returns to the stepS13.

[0285] In the step S20, an A Pack address is advanced at an increment ofone in conjunction with reproducing a subsequent A Pack which iscontrolled according to the A-CONT Pack and then it is checked whetherreproduction of the V Pack is completed or not (step S21). When thereproduction of the V Pack is not completed, it is forwarded to a stepS22. In the case of completion, it advances to a step S23.

[0286] In the step S22, it is checked whether an A Pack which iscontrolled according to the A-CONT Pack is a final pack or not. When theA Pack is not the final pack, it returns to the step S16. In case thatthe A Pack is the final pack, it returns to the step S12 and asubsequent A-CONT Pack is reproduced.

[0287] In a step S23, a V Pack address is incremented by one inconjunction with reproducing a subsequent V Pack which is controlledaccording to the CONT Pack and then it is checked wether a frame is end:end of frame (EOF) or not (step S24). When it is not the EOF, it returnsto the step S13. In the case of the EOF, the audio video simultaneousreproduction process is finished.

[0288] Accordingly, audio data A and video data V which are contained inseveral packs are continuously and simultaneously reproduced inaccordance with time management information contained in a CONT Pack andan A-CONT Pack.

[0289] Furthermore, a video pack is reproduced in synchronization withan audio pack under a control in real time.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

[0290] A DVD-ROM-Van disc (Van-Disc) and a reproduction apparatus for aVan-Disc is provided in this embodiment.

[0291]FIG. 1(b) is a data format of a Van-Disc according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

[0292]FIG. 5(c) is a detailed format of an audio manager information(AMGI) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0293]FIG. 13(c) is a data structure of an audio contents block unit(ACBU) and a video contents block unit (VCBU) shown in FIG. 1(b)according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0294]FIG. 16(b) is a detailed format of an audio character display(ACD) area according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0295]FIG. 18(b) is a detailed format of an audio search data (ASD) areaaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0296]FIG. 20 is a detailed format of a CONT Pack (NV Pack) shown inFIG. 13(c).

[0297]FIG. 21 is a detail of a presentation control information (PCI)data shown in FIG. 20.

[0298]FIG. 22 is a detail of a PCI general information (PCI (GI) shownin FIG. 21.

[0299]FIG. 23 is a detail of a recording information (RECI) shown inFIG. 21.

[0300]FIG. 24 is a detail of a data search information (DSI) data shownin FIG. 20.

[0301]FIG. 25 is a detail of a DSI general information (DSI GI) shown inFIG. 24.

[0302]FIG. 26 is a detail of a seamless playback information (SML PBI)shown in FIG. 24.

[0303]FIG. 27 is a concept of an alteration of seamless angle by aseamless angle information (SAL AGLI) shown in FIG. 24.

[0304]FIG. 28 is an example of a video object unit search information(VOBU SRI) shown in FIG. 24.

[0305]FIG. 29 is a detail of the VOBU SRI shown in FIG. 24.

[0306]FIG. 30 is a detail of a synchronous information (SYNCI) shown inFIG. 24.

[0307]FIG. 41 is a block diagram of a reproduction apparatus for aVan-Disc according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0308]FIG. 42 is a flow chart of reproduction process of Van-Discaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 43 isa detailed format of a text data manager (TXTST-MG) of an AMGI accordingto the fourth embodiment of present invention.

[0309]FIG. 44 is a detailed format of an audio text data language unit(ATXTDT-LU) number 1 (#1) through number n (#n) shown in FIG. 43.

[0310]FIG. 45 is a detailed format of an audio text data (ATXTDT) shownin FIG. 44.

[0311]FIG. 46 is a flow chart of indication process of an audio textdata according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0312]FIG. 47 is a detailed format of an audio manager menu programchain information unit table (AMGM-PGCI-UT) according to the fourthembodiment of the present information. FIG. 48 is a detailed format ofan audio manager menu language unit (AMGM-LU) shown in FIG. 47.

[0313]FIG. 49 is an example of an AMGM-LU shown in FIG. 47.

[0314]FIG. 50 is a flow chart of an indication process of an AMGM-LUshown in FIG. 47.

[0315] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an ASD (AudioSearch Data) contained in an A-CONT Pack shown in FIG. 15 is utilizedfor controlling reproduction of A Packs, wherein the ASD is detailed inFIG. 18(a), and a current number and a current time are utilized forseamless playback. Search information such as title set search, titlesearch, track search, index search, and highlight search are utilizedfor jump reproduction.

[0316] On the other hand, in a Van-Disc according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention, a fundamental data format of aVan-Disc is arranged on the basis of the DVD-Video Specifications whichis an international industry standard so as to enable the disc to bereproduced by various DVD players including a DVD-Video player.

[0317] In FIG. 1(b), a fundamental data format of a Van-Disc comprises avideo manager (VMG) and an audio manager (AMG) area (VMG+AMG area) at ahead of the data format and plural video title set (VTS) and audio titleset (ATS) areas (VTS+ATS areas) following the VMG+AMG area, that is, thefundamental data format of the Van-Disc comprises a DVD-Video disc shownin FIG. 1(a) and a DVD-Audio disc shown in FIG. 2. The AMG and the ATShave the same functions as those explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.

[0318] Each VTS+ATS area comprises a VTS information (VTSI) and an ATSinformation (ATSI) area (VTSI+ATSI area) at a head of a data array, oneor more than one unit of a video contents block set (VCBS) and an audiocontents block set (ACBS) area (VCBS+ACBS area) following the VTSI+ATSIarea, and a VTSI+ATSI area at an end of the data array. One VCBScontains plural video contents blocks (VCBs), on the other hand, oneACBS contains plural audio contents blocks (ACBs). Each VCB isequivalent to one Title of video, on the other hand, each ACB isequivalent to one Title of audio. Each VCB (one Title) includes pluralChapters and each ACB (one Title) includes plural Tracks. A Chapterincludes a part of Title (PTT) and a Track includes a part of Title(PTT).

[0319] Each Chapter comprises plural CELLs, on the other hand, eachTrack comprises plural INDEXes. Each CELL comprises plural VCB units(VCBUs), on the other hand, each INDEX comprises plural ACB units(ACBUs). As shown in FIG. 13(c), one VCBU comprises a CONT Pack at ahead of a data array, a relatively larger amount of A Packs, and arelatively less amount of V Packs, wherein an A-CONT Pack is excluded inthe VCBU. One ACBU comprises arbitrary quantity of packs which is equalto a period of 0.4 to 1.0 second, wherein the period is almost the samespace as that of a VCBU, and an A Pack which is allocated immediatelyafter a V Pack is arranged at a head of an ACBU data array. In additionthereto, a VCBU is called a VOBU (Video OBject Unit) in the DVD-VideoSpecifications.

[0320] According to the first embodiment, ACD and ASD packets arecontained in an A-CONT Pack. However, in a Van-Disc, since an A-CONTPack is not included in an ACBU, they are arranged in one area or bothareas out of an AMG (Audio Manager) and an ATS (Audio Title Set) areasas shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0321] An ACD packet of the first embodiment is arranged in an A-CONTPack which is arranged in every ACBU or in every 0.5 to 1.0 second oftime period and the ACD packet can contain many picture data. However,in a Van-Disc according to the fourth embodiment, both data such as aVMG and an AMG or a VTS and an ATS of a DVD-Video disc and DVD-Audiodisc data formats are contained in one disc, so that containable dataquantity is limited. Further, an ACD packet is arranged in a VMG area ora VTS area. Therefore, rather lesser quantity of data such as title nameof each program or each movement of music is contained. Furthermore, oneaudio reproduction control information which will follow can becontained.

[0322] Although an ACD information area of an ACD packet is possible tobe arranged for data of two language characters [1] and [2] as shown inFIG. 16(a) of the first embodiment, it can be arranged as shown in FIG.16(b) with eliminating data of character [2] of a second language. The636-byte ACD information area comprises 48 bytes of general informationarea, a 294-byte area, and 294 bytes of audio reproduction controlinformation area. The 294-byte area includes 93 bytes of name spacearea, 93 bytes of free space “1” area, 93 bytes of free space “2” area,and 15 bytes of data pointer area, wherein the 294-byte area is utilizedfor displaying audio navigation information such as a music title asshown in FIG. 17 of character [1] of one language.

[0323] Contents of 294-byte audio reproduction control information areaare optional and they can be arranged as, for instance, 25 bytes each of10 audio reproduction control information areas (250 bytes in total) and44 bytes of reserved area. 25) bytes each of audio reproduction controlarea contains 20 bytes of graphic equalizer information, 3 bytes oflevel balance information, and 2 bytes of adding reverberationinformation. These information can be selected by a user and utilizedfor controlling tonal quality of audio signals. These audio reproductioncontrol information are controllable data by a professional recordingmixer at hid preference, it renders the best performance in the tonalquality when reproducing some music contained in A Packs depending on amusic genre; classical, jazz, rock, or BGM (Back Ground Music), state ofperformance, recording conditions, and atmosphere. The 44 bytes ofreserved area is arranged with a mixing coefficient which is utilizedfor reproducing multichannel audio signals, for example, 6 channel audiosignals to be mixed down to 2 channel stereophonic signals.

[0324] In FIG. 18(b), the 1000-byte ASD is depicted in detail. Itexcludes 8 bytes of current number information area and 16 bytes ofcurrent time information area in comparison with FIG. 18(a) of the firstembodiment of the present invention so that a CONT Pack is utilized forseamless playback of A Packs, wherein these current number and currenttime information areas (24 bytes in total) are utilized for a reservedarea (52+24=76 bytes). Therefore, minute display or elaboratereproduction control which is realized in the first embodiment is notfeasible. However, since a Van-Disc can be reproduced by a DVD-Videoplayer, the Van-Disc is anticipated to become an effective audio discduring a transient period until other audio discs which are not able tobe reproduced by a DVD-Video player, become available.

[0325] In FIG. 20, a CONT Pack is depicted in detail. The CONT Pack iscalled a navigation pack (NV Pack) in the DVD-Video Specifications andcomprises 14 bytes of pack header, 24 bytes of system header, 986 bytesof presentation control information packet (PCI PKT), and 1024 bytes ofdata search information packet (DSI PKT). The PCI is called reproductioncontrol information and the 986 byte PCI PKT contains 6 bytes of packetheader, one byte of sub stream ID, and 979 bytes of PCI data which isdetailed in FIG. 21. The 1024-byte DSI PKT contains 6 bytes of packetheader, one byte of sub stream ID, and 1017 bytes of DSI data which isdetailed in FIG. 24.

[0326] In FIG. 21, 979-byte PCI data is depicted in detail. It isnavigation data to control reproduction of VOBUs and comprises 4information; 60 bytes of PCI general information (PCI CI), 36 bytes ofnonseamless angle information (NSML AGLI), 694 bytes of highlightinformation (HLI), and 189 bytes of record information (RECI).

[0327] As shown in FIG. 22, one PCI GI comprises;

[0328] 4 bytes of “LBN (Logical Block Number) of NV Pack or CONT Pack”(NV PCK LBN),

[0329] 2 bytes of “VOBU (Video OBject Unit) category” (VOBU CAT),

[0330] 2 bytes of reserved area,

[0331] 4 bytes of “VOBIJ user operation control information” (VOBU UOPCTL),

[0332] 4 bytes of “VOBU start PTM (Presentation Time)” (VOBU S PTM),

[0333] 4 bytes of “VOBU end PTY” (VOBU E PTM),

[0334] 4 bytes of “end PTM of VOBU sequence end” (VOBU SE E PTM),

[0335] 4 bytes of “in-cell elapsed time” (C ELTMI) and

[0336] 32 bytes of reserved area.

[0337] In an NV PCK LBN, an address of the NV Pack in which a PCI iscontained is described in RLBN (Relative Logical Block Number) from ahead LB (Logical Block) of a video object set (VOBS) which contains thePCI data. In a VOBU CAT, state of analog protection system (APS) of aVOBU is described.

[0338] The nonseamless angle information (NSML AGLI) shown in FIG. 24 isinformation concerning a destination address when changing an angle. TheNSML AGLI is effective when changing angle cell alteration intononseamless, that is, when a seamless angle alteration flag is assignedto “nonseamless”. The HLI shown in FIG. 21 is information ofhighlighting one rectangular area in a sub-picture indicating area.Contrast of colors of video and sub-picture in a specific rectangulararea can be changed in accordance with the HLI. A reproduction period ofsub-picture unit (SPU) of each picture stream has the same period as aneffective period of HLI.

[0339] In FIG. 23, RECI (record information) shown in FIG. 21 isdepicted in detail. It comprises;

[0340] 10 bytes of “ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) ofvideo data in a video stream” (ISRC V),

[0341] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #0”(ISRC A0),

[0342] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #1”(ISRC A1),

[0343] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #2”(ISRC A2),

[0344] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #3”(ISRC A3),

[0345] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #4”(ISRC A4),

[0346] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #5”(ISRC A5),

[0347] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #6”(ISRC A6),

[0348] 10 bytes of “ISRC of audio data in a decoding audio stream #7”(ISRC A7),

[0349] 10 bytes of “ISRC of sub-picture (SP) data in a decoding SPstream #0, #8, #16, or #24” (ISRC SP0),

[0350] 10 bytes of “ISRC of SP data in a decoding SP stream #2, #9, #17,or #25” (ISRC SP1),

[0351] 10 bytes of “ISRC of SP data in a decoding SP stream #2, #10,#18, or #26” (ISRC SP2),

[0352] 10 bytes of “ISRC of SP data in a decoding SP stream #3, #11,#19, or #27” (ISRC SP3),

[0353] 10 bytes of “ISRC of SP data in a decoding SP stream #4, #12,#20, or #28” (ISRC SP4),

[0354] 10 bytes of “ISRC of SP data in a decoding SP stream #5, #13,#21, or #29” (ISRC SP5),

[0355] 10 bytes of “ISRC of SP data in a decoding SP stream #6, #14,#22, or #30” (ISRC SP6),

[0356] 10 bytes of “ISRC of SP data in a decoding SP stream #7, #15,#23, or #31” (ISRC SP7),

[0357] one byte of “SP stream group selected for ISRC” (ISRC SP SEL),and

[0358] 18 bytes of reserved area.

[0359] In FIG. 24, DSI data shown in FIG. 20 is depicted in detail. Itis navigation data to practice seamless reproduction of VOBUs aftersearching (data and comprises;

[0360] 32 bytes of DSI general information (DSI GI),

[0361] 148 bytes of seamless playback information (SML PBI),

[0362] 54 bytes of seamless angle information (SML AGLI),

[0363] 168 bytes of VOBU search information (VOBU SRI),

[0364] 144 bytes of synchronous information (SYNCI), and

[0365] 471 bytes of reserved area.

[0366] In FIG. 25, DSI general information (DSI GI) is depicted indetail. It comprises;

[0367] 4 bytes of “SCR (System Clock Reference) base of NV PCK” (NV PCKSCR),

[0368] 4 bytes of “LBN of NV PCK” (NV PCK LBN),

[0369] 4 bytes of “end address of VOBU” (VOBU EA),

[0370] 4 bytes of “end address of first reference picture of VOBU” (VOBU1STREF EA),

[0371] 4 bytes of “end address of second reference picture of VOBU”(VOBU 2NDREF EA),

[0372] 4 bytes of “end address of third reference picture of VOBU” (VOBU3RDREF EA),

[0373] 2 bytes of “VOB (Video OBject) ID number of VOBU” (VOBU VOB IDN),

[0374] one byte of reserved area,

[0375] one byte of “cell ID number of VOBU)” (VOBU C IDN), and

[0376] 4 bytes of “cell elapsed time” (C ELTM).

[0377] In FIG. 26, SML PBI shown in FIG. 24 is depicted in detail. TheSML PBI comprises;

[0378] 2 bytes of “category of seamless VOBU” (VOBU SML CAT),

[0379] 4 bytes of “end address of interleaved unit” (ILVU EA),

[0380] 4 bytes of “start address of next interleaved unit” (NXT ILVUSA),

[0381] 2 bytes of “size of next interleaved unit” (NXT ILVU SZ),

[0382] 4 bytes of “video start PTM of VOB” (VOB V S PTM),

[0383] 4 bytes of “video end PTM of VOB” (VOB V E PTM),

[0384] 8 bytes each of 8 “audio stop PTM of VOB” (VOB A STP PTM), and

[0385] 8 bytes each of 8 “audio gap length of VOB” (VOB A GAP LEN).

[0386] In FIG. 27, SML AGLI shown in FIG. 24 is depicted in detail. Itis information concerning a destination address for changing an angle.The SML AGLI is effective when the angle change is carried out inseamless, that is, when a seamless angle alteration flag is assigned to“seamless”.

[0387] When a user demands to change an angle as indicated by an arrowA1 in FIG. 27, while an interleaved unit number 3 (ILVU#3) of an anglecell number 1 (AGL C#1) as indicated by an arrow A2 is reproduced, theangle is changed to an angle cell number 1 (AGL C#1) as indicated by anarrow A4 at an end of the ILVU#3 and then an ILVU#4 of the AGL C#1 isreproduced as indicated by an arrow A6. Or the angle is changed to aangle cell number 9 (AGL C#9) as indicated by an arrow A5 at the end ofthe ILVU#3 and an ILVU#4 of the AGL C#9 is reproduced as indicated by anarrow A7 in accordance with a designation of the user.

[0388] As shown in FIG. 28, a head address of a VOBU is described in aVOBU SRI cell, wherein the VOBU is reproduced every 0.5 second (n×0.5seconds) before and after a reproduction start timing of a VOBU whichcontains DSI. The VOBU SRI is effective in one cell.

[0389] In FIG. 28, when a VOBU#6 is reproduced, a head address DO (DSIDO) is included in a VOBU #6 which is contained in a CELL of ID number j(C ID #j) of a VOBU of ID number 1 (VOBU ID #1). A head address (BWD1)and a video present flag of a VOBU (VOBU#5) which is allocated by 0.5second prior to the VOBU#6 are described in a “head address of −1 VOBUand video present flag” (BWDI 1) which is depicted in FIG. 29. A headaddress (BWD2) and a video present flag of a −2 VOBU (VOBU#4) which isallocated by 1 second prior to the VOBU#6 are described in a BWDI 2, inthe same manner as VOBU#4, head addresses; BWD3 through BWD5 and FWD1through FWD20 and video flags of VOBU#3 through VOBU#1 and VOBU#7through VOBU#23 are described in BWDI 3 through BWDI 5 and FWDI 1through FWDI 20 respectively. In addition thereto, addresses; FWD60,FWD120, FWD240, BWD6 through BWD15, BWD20, BWD60, and BWD240 are notpresent in the C ID#j. Further, a FWDI Next (head address of next VOBUand video present flag) and a BWDI Prev (head address of previous VOBUand video present flag) are equivalent to the FWDI 1 and the BWDI 1respectively. In case that the BWDl (BWDI 1) is designated while theVOBU#6 is reproduced, reproduction starts from the VOBU #5 which isallocated by 0.5 second prior to the VOB#6.

[0390]FIG. 29, VOBU SRI is depicted in detail. It comprises;

[0391] 4 bytes of “head address of next VOBU contained in video data”(FWDI Video),

[0392] 4 bytes of “head address of +240 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 240),

[0393] 4 bytes of “head address of +120 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 120),

[0394] 4 bytes of “head address of +60 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 60),

[0395] 4 bytes of “head address of +20 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 20),

[0396] 4 bytes of “head address of +15 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 15),

[0397] 4 bytes of “head address of +14 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 14),

[0398] 4 bytes of “head address of +13 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 13),

[0399] 4 bytes of “head address of +12 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 12),

[0400] 4 bytes of “head address of +11 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 11),

[0401] 4 bytes of “head address of +10 VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI 10),

[0402] 4 bytes of “head address of +9 VOBU and video present flag” (FWDI9),

[0403] 4 bytes of “head address of +8 VOBU and video present flag” (FWDI8),

[0404] 4 bytes of “head address of +7 VOBU and video present flag” (FWDl7),

[0405] 4 bytes of “head address of +6 VOBU and video present flag” (FWDI6),

[0406] 4 bytes of “head address of +5 VOBU and video present flag” (FWDI5),

[0407] 4 bytes of “head address of +4 VOBT and video present flag” (FWDI4),

[0408] 4 bytes of “head address of +3 VOBI and video present flag” (FWDI3),

[0409] 4 bytes of “head address of +2 VOBI and video present flag” (FWDI2),

[0410] 4 bytes of “head address of +1 VOBI and video present flag” (FWDI1),

[0411] 4 bytes of “head address of next VOBU and video present flag”(FWDI Next),

[0412] 4 bytes of “head address of previous VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI Prev)

[0413] 4 bytes of “head address of −1 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI1),

[0414] 4 bytes of “head address of −2 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI2),

[0415] 4 bytes of “head address of −3 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI3),

[0416] 4 bytes of “head address of −4 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI4),

[0417] 4 bytes of “head address of −5 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI5),

[0418] 4 bytes of “head address of “6 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI6),

[0419] 4 bytes of “head address of −7 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI7),

[0420] 4 bytes of “head address of −8 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI8),

[0421] 4 bytes of “head address of −9 VOBU and video present flag” (BWDI9),

[0422] 4 bytes of “head address of −10 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 10),

[0423] 4 bytes of “head address of −11 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 11),

[0424] 4 bytes of “head address of −12 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 12),

[0425] 4 bytes of “head address of −13 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 13),

[0426] 4 bytes of “head address of −14 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 14),

[0427] 4 bytes of “head address of −15 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 15),

[0428] 4 bytes of “head address of −20 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 20),

[0429] 4 bytes of “head address of −60 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 60),

[0430] 4 bytes of “head address of −120 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 120),

[0431] 4 bytes of “head address of −240 VOBU and video present flag”(BWDI 240), and

[0432] 4 bytes of “head address of previous VOBU contained in videodata” (BWDI Video),

[0433] In FIG. 30, SYNCI shown in FIG. 24 is depicted in detail. TheSYNCI is address information of audio data and sub-picture data whichare reproduced in synchronous with video data of a VOBU containing DSIand comprises;

[0434] 2 bytes each of 8 “address of objective audio pack (A PCK)” (ASYNCA 0 through A SYNCA 7), and

[0435] 4 bytes each of 32 “VOBU head address of objective sub-picturepack (SP PCK)” (SP SYNCA 0 through SP SYNCA 31).

[0436] In FIG. 41, a schematic diagram of a reproduction apparatus isshown. A driving device 1402 can reproduce a disc 1401 such as a DVDdisc and a CD, wherein a DVD disc is different from a CD in thickness.In case of a DVD-Audio disc and a Van-Disc, in accordance withaforementioned disc identifier which is detailed in FIG. 33 of referredto the first embodiment, a control section 1423 changes respectivepositions of switches SW401, SW402, and SW403. The switch SW401 isturned to a side of a CONT Pack detector section 1403 and a TOCinformation memory device 1428, the switch SW402 is turned to a side ofa buffer retrieve section 1405, and the switch SW403 is closed toconnect a power supply 1430 to a video processing device 1450. In caseof other discs, the switch SW401 is turned to a side of a CONT & A-CONTPack detector section 1409 and a TOC information storing memory 1424 anda CD reproduction section 1488, the switch SW402 is turned to a side ofa buffer retrieve section 1411, and the switch SW403 is turned off thepower supply to the video processing device 1450 by the control section1423.

[0437] In FIG. 42, a disc identifier is read out from a disc 1401 (stepS30), then the disc 1401 is discriminated whether it is a DVD-Video discor not (step S31). In case of a DVD-Video disc, it is reproduced in menureproduction or text data reproduction (step S32). During thisreproduction process, as shown in FIG. 41, the reproduced signals aretransmitted to the CONT Pack detector section 1403 through the switchSW401. The CONT Pack detector section 1403 detects CONT Packs includedin the reproduced data and arranges control parameters in a parametersection 1408, at the same time, the CONT Pack detector section 1403writes sequentially V Packs, SP Packs, and A Packs which are controlledby the information in CONT Packs in an A/V Pack buffer section 1404.

[0438] The V Packs and user data (video signals and sub-pictureinformation) contained in the SP Packs, wherein the V Packs and the userdata are written in the A/V Pack buffer section 1404, are retrieved by abuffer retrieve section 1405 in pack sequence in accordance with a SCR(System Clock Reference explained referring to FIG. 14) contained in a VPack or retrieved in output timing sequence in accordance with a PTS(Presentation Time Stamp) contained in a CONT Pack, and then the V Packsand the user data are outputted is analog video signals through an imageconverter section 1106, a D/A converter 1107, a video signal outputterminal 1115 a, and a SP information output terminal 1115 b. User dataaudio signals) contained in the A Packs which are written in the A/VPack buffer section 1404 are retrieved by the buffer retrieve section1405 in pack sequence in accordance with an SCR or retrieved in outputtiming sequence in accordance with the information in CONT Packs, andthen the audio signals are outputted as analog audio signals through theswitch SW402, a PCM converter section 1412, a D/A converter section1413, and an audio signal output terminal 1116.

[0439] In case of a Van-Disc, CONT Packs and TOC information containedin the reproduced signals are transmitted to the CONT Pack detectorsection 1403 and the TOC information storing memory 1428 through theswitch SW401. Reproduction process of V Packs and A Packs are the samemanner as that of a DVD-Video disc. Cuing of program or movement ofmusic is performed in accordance with TOC information. In FIG. 42, adisc is discriminated as a Van-Disc (step S33), then TOC information areread (step S34) and the Van-Disc is reproduced in audio menureproduction or audio text data reproduction (step S35).

[0440] In case of a DVD-Audio disc and a DVD-Avd disc (Avd-Disc) whichis a combination disc of DVD-Audio data and AV data of DVD-Video stream,CONT or A-CONT Packs and TOC information contained in reproduced signalsare transmitted to the CONT & A-CONT Pack detector section 1409 and theTOC information storing memory 1424 through the switch SW401 which isturned to a side of the CONT & A-CONT Pack detector section 1409 and theTOC information storing memory 1424. The CONT & A-CONT Pack detector1409 detects CONT Packs or A-CONT Packs of reproduced data and arrangescontrol parameters in a parameter section 1414 and writes sequently APacks which are controlled by the information in the CONT Packs orA-CONT Packs in a A Pack buffer section 1410.

[0441] User data (audio signals) of A Packs which are written in the APack buffer section 1410 are retrieved by a buffer retrieve section 1411in pack sequence in accordance with a SCR or in output timing sequencein accordance with current time information of an ASD (Audio Search Dataexplained referring to FIG. 18(a)) contained in the A-CONT Packs. Theuser data are outputted as analog audio signals through the switch SW402which is set to connect the buffer retrieve section 1411 to the PCMconverter section 1412, the PCM converter section 1412, the D/Aconverter section 1413, and the audio signal output terminal 1116.Display data of A-CONT Pack which is detailed in FIG. 16(a) and FIG. 17as ACD (Audio Character Display) information is transmitted to a displaysignal generator section 1120 by which display signals are generated.The display signals are outputted through a display signal outputterminal 1122 or outputted to a character display device 1121 built in aapparatus.

[0442] In case of a Avd-Disc or a DVD-Audio disc including V data (stillpictures), wherein either disc does not contain a CONT Pack or an A-CONTPack, the switch SW401 is turned to the same position as that for aVan-Disc. In this case, TOC information or information of managementarea are utilized for reproduction. Referring back to FIG. 42, when adisc is discriminated as an Avd-Disc (step S36) TOC information is read(step S37) and the Avd-Disc is reproduced (step S38) in additionthereto, character information can be reproduced. When a disc isdiscriminated as a DVD-Audio disc (step S39), TOC information are read(step S40) and the DVD-Audio disc is reproduced (step S41). Characterinformation can be reproduced.

[0443] In case of a CD, the switch SW401 is turned to a side of a CDreproduction section 1488, reproduced signals are transmitted to the CDplayback section 1488 through the switch SW401 and outputted as analogaudio signals. In FIG. 42, a disc is discriminated as a CD (step S42),TOC information is read (step S43) and the CD is reproduced (step S44).

[0444] According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention,since quantity of A Packs are more than that of V Packs in one VOBU(Video OBject Unit), still pictures or slower moving pictures can bereproduced when reproducing V Packs by a reproduction apparatus with adisplay. However, A Packs in one VOBU can be reproduced in accordancewith the information in the CONT Packs (NV Packs) based on the DVD-VideoSpecifications, so that a Van-Disc can be reproduced by a DVD-Videoplayer and also various DVD discs such as DVD-Video can be reproduced bya Van-Disc reproduction apparatus.

[0445] In FIG. 43, TXTDT-MG (Text Data Manager) shown in FIGS. 5(a) and5(b) is depicted in detail. It comprises audio text data managerinformation (ATXTDT-MGI), n units of audio text data language unitsearch pointer number 1 through number n (ATXTDT-LU-SRP#1 throughATXTDT-LU-SRP#n), and n units of audio text data language unit number 1through number n (ATXTDT-LU#1 through ATXTDT-LU#n) which is detailed inFIG. 44.

[0446] In FIG. 44, each ATXTDT-LU is depicted in detail. It comprisesaudio text data language unit information (ATXTDT-LUI), item audio textsearch pointer—search pointer for a volume (IT-ATXT-SRP-VLM), 9 units ofitem audio text search pointer—search pointer for Album number 1 throughnumber 9 based on ATT-SRPT (Audio Title Search Pointer Table)(IT-ATXT-SRP-SRP-TTG#1-ATT-SRPT through IT-ATXT-SRP-SRP-TTG#9-ATT-SRPT),9 units of item audio text search pointer—search pointer for Albumnumber 1 through number 9 based on AOTT-SRPT (Audio Only Title SearchPointer Table) (IT-ATXT-SRP-SRP-TTG#1-AOTT-SRPT throughIT-ATXT-SRP-SRP-TTG#9-AOTT-SRPT), and audio text data (ATXTDT) which isdetailed in FIG. 45.

[0447] In FIG. 45, the ATXTDT is depicted in detail. It comprises audiotext data information (ATXTDTI), n units of item audio text searchpointer number 1 through number n (IT-ATXT-SRP#1 through IT-ATXT-SRP#n),and n units of item audio text number 1 through number n (IT-ATXT#1through IT-ATXT#n).

[0448] Accordingly, with these data structure utilized, informationconcerning audio data such as explanation of Album is stored as textdata. The text data is stored in an area other than an area for textdata of video. FIG. 46 is a flow chart of reproduction process of a disc1401 by a reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 41, wherein the disc 1401is recorded with audio text data and is loaded on a driving device 1402.When an operation button of “Information concerning Album” on anoperation section 1418 is pressed, wherein the button is not shown inFIG. 41, audio text data of Album #i under reproduction or Album #icorresponding to the volume before the reproduction are displayed. Inthis case, the switches SW401 through SW403 are turned to appropriatepositions in accordance with a disc type such as a Van-Disc and aDVD-Audio disc. In case of a Van-Disc, video signals of text data areoutputted through the video signal output terminal 1115 a. In case of aDVD-Audio disc, text data are outputted through the display signaloutput terminal 1122 or the character display device 1121.

[0449]FIG. 46 exemplarily shows a process that a language unit #i (LU#i)being designated by the operation section 1418 is selected and is read(step S51), then an audio text data language unit #i (ATXTDT-LU#i) isindicated (step S52). When next designation is present (step S53), thenumber “i” is incremented by a “+” key corresponding to the designation(steps S54 and S55) or the number “i” is decrement by a “−” key (stepsS56 and S57). When other number “k” is designated, set the number “i” toa number “k” (step S58). In any cases, the process returns back to thestep S52, thus an ATXTDT-LU#(i+1), an ATXTDT-LU#(i−1), or ATXTDT-LU#k isindicated.

[0450] Above mentioned audio text data can be indicated in differentlanguages. Explanation of an indication process for such will follow.

[0451] In FIG. 47, the AMGM-PGCI-UT (Audio Manager Menu Program ChainInformation Unit Table) shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) is depicted indetail. It comprises AMGM-PGCI-UT information (AMGM-PGCI-UTI), n unitsof audio manager menu language unit search pointer number one throughnumber n AMGM-LU-SRP#1 through AMGM-LU-SRP#n), and n units of audiomanger menu language unit number 1 through number n (AMGM-LU#1 throughAMGM-LU#n) each of which is detailed in FIG. 48.

[0452] In FIG. 48, each AMGM-LU is depicted. It comprises AMGM-LUinformation (AMGM-LUI), n units of AMGM-PGCI search pointer number 1through AMGM-PGCI search pointer number n (AMGM-PGCI-SRP#1 throughAMGM-PGCI-SRP#n), and n units of AMGM-PGCI number 1 through number n(AMGM-PGCI#1 through AMGM-PGCI#n).

[0453] As shown in FIG. 49, two title menus of the same Title indifferent languages such as Japanese and English are recorded in aDVD-Video disc or a Van-Disc in sub-pictures by above mentioned AMGM-LU.A reproduction apparatus processes a disc 1401 for indication as shownin FIG. 50. In this case, the switches SW401 through SW403 are turned tothe position for reproducing a DVD-Video disc or a Van-Disc andsub-picture signals of title menu are outputted to the video signaloutput terminal 1115 a.

[0454] In FIG. 49, each title menu comprises 3 Titles; Title 1, Title 2,and Title 3. They are recorded in a disc in sub pictures. The title menuis equivalent to a VOB which comprises video, audio, and sub-picturepacks for a certain language such as English or Japanese.

[0455]FIG. 50 shows a process that a language unit number i (LU#i) beingdesignated by the operation section 1418 is selected and is read out(step S61), then an audio manager menu Language unit #i (AMGM-LU#i) isindicated (step S62). When a next chain is designated so that the menucomprises many chains, the next chain is designated (steps S63 and S64).The process returns back to the step S62 and indicates an AMGM-LU#I ofthe chain.

[0456] When a next chain is not designated (step S63), the processdiscriminates whether a next menu is designated or not (step S65). Whenthe next menu is not designated, the process returns back to the stepS63. When the next menu is designated, the number “i” is incremented bya “+” key corresponding to the designation (steps S66 and S67) or thenumber “i” is decremented by a “−” key (steps S68 and S69). When othernumber “k” is designated, the number “i” is set to the number “k” (stepS70). In any cases, it returns back to the step S62, thus anAMGM-LU#(i+1), an AMGM-LU#(i−1), or AMGM-LU#k is indicated.

[0457] In the case of a Van-Disc according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention, the AMGI (Audio Manager Information) shown inFIG. 5(a) is replaced by another format as shown in FIG. 5(c), an AMGIcomprises an audio manager information management table (AMGI-MAT) area,an audio title search pointer table (ATT-SRPT) area, an audio only titlesearch pointer table (AOTT-SRPT) area, an audio manager menu programchain information unit table (AMGM-PGCI-UT) area, and an audio text datamanager (ATXTDT-MG) area. Certain areas shown in FIG. 5(a) such as thePTL-MAIT, the AMGM-C-ADT, and the AMGM-ACBU-ADMAP can be eliminated.

[0458] According to one aspect of the present invention, a navigationpack (NV Pack) which is defined by the DVD Specifications is provided inpacks which contain audio data and the audio packs, and such packs arereproduced according to the information in the NV Pack. Therefore, thereproduction of audio signal is much easier and simpler for a user whointends to record audio signals mainly, and management thereof in realtime becomes much easier. Furthermore, according to another aspect ofthe present invention, a disc comprising a control pack or an managementarea which manages audio packs can be reproduced, wherein the controlpack or management area is provided for packs which include the audiopacks. There is provided another disc comprising an NV Pack which isdefined by the DVD-Video Specifications can be reproduced, wherein theNV Pack is produced in packs which contain audio data. In additionthereto, according to further aspect of the present invention, a disccomprising an NV Pack which is defined by the DVD-Video Specificationsand a DVD-Video disc can be reproduced, wherein the NV Pack is providedin packs which contain audio data.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical audio disc comprising: a first pack (APack) including audio data; a second pack (A-CONT Pack) managing saidaudio data being contained in said first pack; a third pack (V Pack)including other data than said audio data; a fourth pack (CONT Pack)containing information which manages the other data included in saidthird pack; and a data array having said second pack placed at a head ofsaid data array and more than one unit of said first, third, and fourthpacks placed after said second pack.
 2. An optical audio disc inaccordance with claim 1, wherein an audio contents block unit (ACBU) isdefined in said data array as such that said audio contents block unitis headed by said second pack and is terminated immediately before asubsequent second pack.
 3. An optical audio disc in accordance withclaim 2, wherein said audio contents block unit is provided at everypredetermined time period in said data array.
 4. An optical audio discin accordance with claim 1, wherein said second pack contains timeinformation as a time unit equivalent to one group of audio frames. 5.An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said secondpack includes a table of contents information of said optical audiodisc.
 6. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein saiddata array further contains audio manager information other than saidaudio contents block unit, and said audio manager information includesinformation to access to an audio data of said first pack.
 7. An opticalaudio disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said data array furthercontains audio title set information other than said audio contentsblock unit, and said audio title unit information further includesinformation to access to an audio data in said first pack.
 8. An opticalaudio disc in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second pack includesinformation for managing timing of the audio data in said first pack,and said fourth pack contains information for managing timing of saidother data in said third pack.
 9. An optical audio disc in accordancewith claim 1, wherein a unit of information which manages the audio datain said first pack, and a unit of timing of said other data in saidthird pack, are defined as a number of audio frames and a number ofvideo frames respectively.
 10. An optical audio disc comprising: a firstpack (A Pack) including audio data; a second pack (A-CONT Pack) managingsaid audio data being contained in said first pack; a third pack (VPack) including other data than said audio data; a fourth pack (CONTPack) containing information which manages the other data included insaid third pack; and a data array having said fourth pack placed at ahead of said data array and more than one unit of said first, second,and third packs placed after said fourth pack.
 11. An optical audio discin accordance with claim 10, wherein an audio contents block unit (ACBU)is defined in said data array as such that said audio contents blockunit is headed by said fourth pack and is terminated immediately beforea subsequent fourth pack.
 12. An optical audio disc in accordance withclaim 11, wherein said audio contents block unit is provided at everypredetermined time period in said data array.
 13. An optical audio discin accordance with claim 10, wherein said second pack contains timeinformation as a time unit equivalent to one group of audio frames. 14.An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 10, wherein said secondpack includes table of contents information of said optical audio disc.15. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 10, wherein said dataarray further contains audio manager information other than said audiocontents block unit, and said audio manager information includesinformation to access to an audio data of said first pack.
 16. Anoptical audio disc in accordance with claim 10, wherein said data arrayfurther contains audio title set information other than said audiocontents block unit, and said audio title set information furtherincludes information to access to an audio data in said first pack. 17.An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 10, wherein said secondpack includes information for managing timing of the audio data in saidfirst pack, and said fourth pack contains information for managingtiming of said other data in said third pack.
 18. An optical audio discin accordance with claim 10, wherein a unit of information which managesthe audio data in said first pack and a unit of timing of said otherdata in said third pack, are defined as a number of audio frames and anumber of video frames respectively.
 19. An optical audio disccomprising: a first pack (A Pa(k) including audio data; a second pack(A-CONT Pack) managing said audio data contained in said first pack; adata array having said second pack placed at a head of said data arrayand more than one unit of said first pack; an audio contents block unitbeing defined in said data array as such that said audio contents blockunit is headed by said second pack, and is terminated immediately beforea subsequent second pack; and said audio contents block unit beingprovided at every predetermined time period in said data array.
 20. Anoptical audio disc in accordance with claim 19, wherein said second packcontains time information as a time unit equivalent to one group ofaudio frames.
 21. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 19,wherein said second pack contains a table of contents information ofsaid optical disc.
 22. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim19, wherein said data array further contains audio manager informationother than said audio contents block unit, and wherein said audiomanager information includes information to access to an audio data ofsaid first pack.
 23. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 19,wherein said data array further contains audio title set informationother than said audio contents block unit, and wherein said audio titleset information further includes information to access to an audio datain said first pack.
 24. An optical audio disc (Van-Disc) comprising: afirst pack (A Pack) including audio data; a second pack (V Pack)including other data than said audio data; a navigation pack (CONT Pack)containing reproduction control information which controls reproductionof data included in said first and second packs wherein said navigationpack is defined by the DVD-Video Specifications which is aninternational industry standard; a managing area containing informationwhich manages said audio data included in said first pack; and a dataarray having said navigation pack placed at a head of said data arrayand said first and second packs placed after said navigation packwherein a number of said first pack is more than that of said secondpack.
 25. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 24, whereinsaid managing area includes a character information related to audiodata.
 26. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 25, whereinsaid character information contains character information of more thantwo including two languages.
 27. An optical audio disc in accordancewith claim 24, wherein said managing area is an AMG (Audio Manager) andan ATS (Audio Title Set) information which are added to the DVD-Videodata format of the DVD-Video Specifications.
 28. An optical audio discin accordance with claim 1, wherein a TOC (Table Of Contents)information including cuing information of a program and a movement ofmusic are recorded in a lead-in area of said optical audio disc.
 29. Anoptical audio disc in accordance with claim 10, wherein a TOC (Table OfContents) information including cuing information of a program and amovement of music are recorded in a lead-in area of said optical audiodisc.
 30. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 24, wherein aTOC (Table Of Contents) information including cuing information of aprogram and a movement of music are recorded in a lead-in area of saidoptical audio disc.
 31. A reproduction apparatus which reproduces anoptical audio disc, wherein said optical audio disc comprises a firstpack (A Pack) including audio data and a second pack (A-CONT Pack) whichmanages said audio data contained in said first pack and comprises athird pack (V Pack) including other data than said audio data and afourth pack (CONT Pack) containing information which manages the otherdata included in said third pack and further comprises a data arrayhaving said second pack placed at a head of said data array and morethan one unit of said first and third and fourth packs placed after saidsecond pack, said reproduction apparatus comprising: first reproductionmeans for reproducing the audio data in said first pack (A Pack) inaccordance with information contained in said second pack (A-CONT Pack);and second reproduction means for reproducing the other data in saidthird pack (V Pack) in accordance with information contained in saidfourth pack (CONT Pack).
 32. A reproduction apparatus in accordance withclaim 31, wherein a TOC (Table Of Contents) information is recorded insaid second pack for cuing the audio data of said first pack, andwherein said first reproduction means cues the audio data in said firstpack in accordance with said TOC information.
 33. A reproductionapparatus in accordance with claim 31, wherein a TOC information isrecorded in other area than said first and fourth packs of said audiodisc for cuing the audio data of said first pack, and wherein said firstreproduction means cues the audio data (contained in said first pack inaccordance with said TOC information.
 34. A reproduction apparatus inaccordance with claim 31, wherein a TOC information is recorded in alead-in area of said audio disc for cuing the audio data of said firstpack, and wherein said first reproduction means cues the audio datacontained in said first pack in accordance with said TOC information.35. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 31, wherein eachsaid second and fourth packs contains a time managing information whichreproduces the audio data and the other data included in said first andthird packs, and wherein said first and second reproduction meansreproduce simultaneously the audio data and the other data contained insaid first and third packs in accordance with said time managinginformation.
 36. A reproduction apparatus which reproduces an opticalaudio disc, wherein said optical audio disc comprises a first pack (APack) including audio data and a second pack (A-CONT Pack) which managessaid audio data contained in said first pack and comprises a third pack(V Pack) including other data than said audio data and a fourth pack(CONT Pack) containing information which manages the other data includedin said third pack and further comprises a data array having said fourthpack placed at a head of said data array and more than one unit of saidfirst and second and third packs placed after said fourth pack, saidreproduction apparatus comprising: first reproduction means forreproducing the audio data in said first pack (A Pack) in accordancewith information contained in said second pack (A-CONT Pack); and secondreproduction means for reproducing the other data in said third pack (VPack) in accordance with information contained in said fourth pack (CONTPack).
 37. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 36, whereina TOC (Table Of Contents) information is recorded in said second packfor cuing the audio data of said first pack, and wherein said firstreproduction means cues the audio data in said first pack in accordancewith said TOC information.
 38. A reproduction apparatus in accordancewith claim 36, wherein a TOC information is recorded in other area thansaid first and fourth packs of said audio disc for cuing the audio dataof said first pack, and wherein said first reproduction means cues theaudio data contained in said first pack in accordance with said TOCinformation.
 39. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 36,wherein a TOC information is recorded in a lead-in area of said audiodisc for cuing the audio data of said first pack, and wherein said firstreproduction means cues the audio data contained in said first pack inaccordance with said TOC information.
 40. A reproduction apparatus inaccordance with claim 36, wherein each said second and fourth packscontains a time managing information which reproduces the audio data andthe other data included in said first and third packs, and wherein saidfirst and second reproduction means reproduce simultaneously the audiodata and the other data contained in said first and third packs inaccordance with said time managing information.
 41. A reproductionapparatus which reproduces an optical audio disc (Van-Disc), wherein theaudio disc comprises a first pack containing audio data and a secondpack containing other data than said audio data and a navigation packwhich is defined by the DVD-Video Specifications, said navigation packcontaining reproduction control information for controlling reproductionof data in said first and second packs and a first managementinformation for managing data which are contained in said first andsecond packs and a managing area containing a second managementinformation which are defined by the DVD-Video Specifications, saidsecond management information managing data which are included in saidfirst and second packs, said reproduction apparatus comprising:reproduction means for reproducing the audio data included in said firstpack and the data included in said second pack in accordance with thereproduction control information included in said navigation pack whichis defined by the DVD-Video Specifications and with a managementinformation contained in said management area.
 42. A reproductionapparatus in accordance with claim 41, wherein said first managementinformation further comprises a character information related to saidaudio data which are contained in said first pack, and wherein saidreproduction means further reproduces said character information.
 43. Areproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 41, wherein said firstmanagement information further comprises a menu information related tosaid audio data which are contained in said first pack, and wherein saidreproduction means further reproduces said menu information.
 44. areproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 41, wherein the lead-inarea of said audio disc is recorded with a TOC information which cuessaid audio data contained in said first pack, and wherein saidreproduction means further cues said audio data contained in said firstpack according to said TOC information.
 45. A reproduction apparatuswhich reproduces one of a first audio disc and a second audio disc,wherein the first audio disc comprises a first pack containing a firstaudio data and a second pack containing other data than said first audiodata and a navigation pack which is defined by the DVD-VideoSpecifications, said navigation pack containing a first reproductioncontrol information for controlling reproduction of data which arecontained in said first and second packs, said first audio disccomprises a first management information for managing data which arecontained in said first and second packs and comprises a first managingarea containing a second management information which are defined by theDVD-Video Specifications, said managing area manages data which areincluded in said first and second packs, wherein the second audio disccomprises a third pack containing a second audio data and a fourth packcontaining other data than said second audio data and at least onesecond managing area containing a second reproduction controlinformation for controlling reproduction of data which are contained insaid third and fourth packs, said reproduction apparatus comprising:first reproduction means for reproducing said first audio data includedin said first pack and said data included in said second pack of saidfirst audio disc in accordance with said first reproduction controlinformation included in said navigation pack which is defined by theDVD-Video Specifications and said second management informationcontained in said managing area; and second reproduction means forreproducing said second audio data included in said third pack and thedata included in said fourth pack of said second audio disc inaccordance with said second reproduction control information included insaid control pack.
 46. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim45, wherein a lead-in area of each of said first and second audio discsis recorded with a TOC information which cues each of said first audiodata contained in said first pack of said first audio disc and saidsecond audio data contained in said third pack of said second audiodisc, and wherein said first and second reproduction means further cuethe audio data contained in said first and third packs according to saidTOC information.
 47. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim45, wherein both of said first and second audio discs are furtherrecorded with respective audio menus related to audio data which arecontained in both of said first and third packs, and wherein said firstand second reproduction means further reproduce respective audio menus.48. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 45, wherein saidfirst and second audio discs are further recorded with audio text datarelated respectively to said first and second audio data which arecontained respectively in said first and third packs, and wherein saidfirst and second reproduction means further reproduce said audio textdata respectively.
 49. A reproduction apparatus which reproduces one ofan audio disc and a DVD-Video disc, wherein the audio disc comprises afirst pack containing a first audio data and a second pack containingother data than said first audio data and a first navigation pack whichis defined by the DVD-Video Specifications, said navigation packcontains a first reproduction control information for controllingreproduction of data which are contained in said first and second packs,and said audio disc comprises a first management information formanaging data which are contained in said first and second packs and amanaging area containing a second management information which aredefined by the DVD-Video Specifications, said managing area manages datawhich are included in said first and second packs, wherein the DVD-Videodisc comprises a third pack containing a second audio data and a fourthpack containing video data and a second navigation pack which is definedby the DVD-Video Specifications, said second navigation pack containinga second reproduction control information for controlling reproductionof data which are contained in said third and fourth packs, saidreproduction apparatus comprising: a first reproduction means whichreproduces the audio data included in said first pack and the dataincluded in said second pack of said audio disc in accordance with thereproduction control information included in said navigation pack whichis defined by the DVD-Video Specifications and said first managementinformation; and a second reproduction means which reproduces the audiodata included in said first pack and the data included in said secondpack of said DVD-Video disc in accordance with the reproduction controlinformation included in said navigation pack which is defined by theDVD-Video Specifications.
 50. A reproduction apparatus in accordancewith claim 49, wherein the lead-in area of said audio disc is recordedwith a TOC information which cues said first audio data contained insaid first pack, and wherein said first reproduction means further cuessaid first audio data contained in said first pack by means of said TOCinformation.
 51. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 49,wherein said audio disc is further recorded with a audio menu related tosaid first audio data which are contained in said first pack, andwherein said first reproduction means further reproduces said audiomenu.
 52. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 49, whereinsaid audio disc is further recorded with audio text data related to saidfirst audio data which are contained in said first pack, and whereinsaid first reproduction means further reproduces said audio text data.53. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 49, wherein eachof said first reproduction means and said second reproduction meansfunctions as an audio signal reproduction circuit.
 54. An optical audiodisc in accordance with claim 24, wherein said managing area includes aTOC (Table Of Contents) information of said optical audio disc.
 55. Anoptical audio disc in accordance with claim 24, wherein said opticalaudio disc further comprises a first management information for managingdata which are contained in said first and second packs and anothermanaging area containing a second management information which aredefined by the DVD-Video Specifications, and wherein said secondmanagement information manages data which are included in said first andsecond packs.
 56. An optical audio disc in accordance with claim 55,wherein said first management information includes a TOC information ofsaid optical audio disc
 57. A reproduction apparatus in accordance withclaim 45, wherein said first audio disc is defined as an Van-Disc.
 58. Areproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 45, wherein said firstaudio disc is defined as an Avd-Disc.
 59. A reproduction apparatus inaccordance with claim 45, wherein said second audio disc is defined as aDVD-Audio disc.
 60. A reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim45, wherein said first and second managing areas of said first andsecond audio discs are recorded with a TOC information which cues eachof said first audio data contained in said first pack of said firstaudio disc and said second audio data contained in said third pack ofsaid second audio disc, and wherein said first and second reproductionmeans further cue the audio data contained in said first and third packsaccording to said TOC information.
 61. A reproduction apparatus inaccordance with claim 49, wherein said managing area of said audio discis recorded with a TOC information which cues said first audio datacontained in said first pack, and said audio disc is defined as aDVD-Audio disc, and wherein said first reproduction means further cuessaid first audio data contained in said first pack by means of said TOCinformation.